They can't lose a key if you never gave them one!

As a private lender would you pay the full 100%, or still do 75% Loan to Purchase price and have borrower put money in?

And that could be a few years away, so you'll be losing $$ until then.Could you convert them to medium or short term rentals to boost cash flow?

Yes, you should not start contacting real estate agents now if you don't have any money.

#1 What's missing is Profitability.....Pretty weird....I think both are either losing money or just barely hanging on to minimal profits. 

The reason more money is made in commercial is because its a greater price point.

I don't know what you would be pitching at 20 years old to get money so listen to @Chris Seveney.

Personally, I negotiate for better price/seller credits + put more money down to min 1:1 DSCR and keep it gucci. 

That said, if you are in it for less than 100k, and somewhere around 30k out of pocket, then you don't really need to rent it all that much to make some money. 

As best I can I point out either evidence of issues if we can see them when we show homes, so you don't waste inspection and option money on homes you end up not really wanting to buy.