Your way, you invest quite a bit of money in something you don't fully own or control and in the other way, you invest more money, but have more options, should things go south, and have the potential to make significantly more nominal amount money, without having to split it.

My contractor always has it and just charges a nominal fee.- Paint (ceiling, semi-gloss for trim, color(s)) - 2 coats?

Paying trash isn't that bad as costs tend to be more nominal versus other utility types.

The type of lender I am picturing is someone who is just writing a check and outside of that is not involved in the day to day of the property.For the basics, a figurative property that costs $500,000 that is a commercial property would require a nominal 25% down payment or $125,000.

Look at this linkhttps://www.nps.gov/nr/regulations.htm#6015 specifically sec. 60.15a) Grounds for removing properties from the National Register are as follows: (1) The property has ceased to meet the criteria for listing in the National Register because the qualities which caused it to be originally listed have been lost or destroyed, or such qualities were lost subsequent to nomination and prior to listing;Sounds like yours fits this criteria.

It's a great way to network and in many cases is free or a very nominal cost.  

I have no debt (besides nominal credit card expenditures which are paid off at the end of the month), 786 credit score, plenty of money for a down payment and reserves but what are my other options to getting a loan?

The tax burden is generally nominal. 

I prefer buy and hold as the interest rates are so low paying a little extra for a property only adds up to a nominal amount each month on top of what you wanted to pay.

The cost in doing so was pretty nominal (demo two closets & build two walls), but I think it adds tremendous value and appeal to the property.