Due to the university, the ordinances are pretty restrictive.

On top of that, you have one of the biggest and best universities in the world here with Ohio State University.

University Credit Union, UTUnivest Bank, $100k per line and 10 yr drawUpstate Bank in Rochester NY, LOC up to 80%US Bank 80%.

The only situation where I've seen it become successful is around the universities, specifically temple because of the amount of multi inventory.

The reasons are 1- less competition in commercial2- greater property types lead to more opportunities for “value added”3- commercial net income projections include expense for property management, 1-4 unit residential usually do not4- greater “universe” of properties to buy allow higher minimum return standards Of course residential is MUCH easier to successfully deal in, and with reasonable leverage has small downside risk, so I 100% agree that most investors should stick with residential.  

Hi, I have a property in the edge of the university city area of Philadelphia.

Once I got 11 turnkey rentals I got to accredited investor status and sold off the rentals for syndications.

I would like to add since the advent of regulation a+ you are starting to see an increase in alternative investment / real estate funds that allow non accredited investors and minimums as low as $100.

Looking around Saint Lukes, KU Medical Center, and The University of Missouri to rent mostly to travel nurses/ professionals. 

If you are or become an accredited investor, you can make straight cash investments into funds, which are small portfolios of properties.Best of luck!