The bank wants to know you had the discipline to save the money and have "Skin in the game."

You could probably get  commercial loan with some local banks if you could bring in a partner at 20% and you at 5%.But be wary of going into this by the skin of your teeth.

I'm pretty set on Vancouver or Burnaby, I just really prefer urban living, and I love being by the ocean for lifestyle as well as health reasons (dry thin air doesn't do my skin or lungs any good).  

Put skin in the game and be ready and willing to close.

Now I'm irritated if I have to be on the road for more then 30 minutes from point A to point B. 

Usually these types of commercial construction projects require project sponsor to have more skin in the game, which is why they're often done with multiple partners or as syndicates. 

The best thing you can do starting out is build a strong team around you and/or partner up with an experienced real estate investor to help you get some skin in the game.

you have to ask yourself why would a seller in todays RED HOT multifamily market hand you a building with zero skin in the game and a huge mortgage. i have seen these happen here in the bay area on occasion and its almost ALWAYS for tax reasons. they dont want the huge CAP gains hit so they will finance over 10-15 year terms.

I'm developing tough skin, so I know that's a possibility I may have to fact.

I have also grown some tough skin thru the events of REI for sure!