I've been researching to the point of exhaustion and getting overwhelmed with the best approach to making my first investment.

What happens when that balloon payment becomes due and you have to exhaust all of your financial reserves? 

The demand from high tech has exhausted supply creating a bubble, which has in turn priced a great number of people out of the market, thus driving the need for a correction, more affordable housing, ect ect..

This assumes that you have already exhausted all other avenues, and you know that the borrower has the ability to pay.

Okay, so you may have exhausted everything you can do, but is there something someone else can do to grease these cogs?

I've basically exhausted resources in CA and looking to expand out of state.

For example if your partner works on the furnace and messes up the exhaust stack and someone dies from carbon monoxide poisoning he will probably be sued personally as well as the LLC being sued. 

It's only looking for a new HQ2 because it has projected it will exhaust Seattle in the next 5-10 years. 

They would help you exhaust the conventional loans first with the best terms.  

Here is my question… Should I exhaust all my conventional bank loans, most likely getting better rates, and having an easier time of it, or do I develop a relationship immediately with a Portfolio lender, who will, hopefully, be competitive and in it for the long haul?