Selectively picking new information that fits a pre-conceived narrative is called confirmation bias.

On the Commerical portfolio side which is where I am at my best and I like the most personally. this to me is relationship based.. and its a process. but once in the club like @Austin Fruechting is mentioning then its just annual financials and tax returns.. plus knowing what your lender will and or wont do.. but make no mistake you need to be VERY good at what you do.. you need experience and a decent balance sheet and liquidity position to get commercial loans.On the HML that is changing daily with the crowdfunders and national HML jumping in the space. in many markets they have crushed rates to down to 9 to 11% APR  includes rates and points.. down from 20% and 15% aprs in the mid 2000sso good time to be looking for those HML  any lender who advertises or seeks clients is a HML not a private money lender..

whats the difference between interest rate and APR? 

I’m looking at investing in a vacation rental at the ski slopes and looking for any advice and wisdom on deal analysis and such.

The APR on a loan is charged by the lender and the fee we charge is how we stay in business.  

Being that all my loans were the same APR, I used the snowball method when paying down my debt.

Explain your situation and ask them for a pre-qualification letter.

I just received a heartwarming email from a gentleman and his brother that I helped on a pre-foreclosure, and the feeling it gives you knowing you removed such a burden from people is amazing.

Example of the benefit could be a payment of $210 based on a loan of $44,000 ($55,000 less 20% down payment) at 4% fixed APR.  

as a beginner you can count on having at least 20 to 30% of purchase price in cash and ALL of the rehab money needed  plus reserves.. if you can demonstrate that. you will find Bay Area lenders to loan at about a 9 to 10% APR for one year and if you want referrals to said lenders happy to do it.