I always found it beneficial to explain I was the principal, only one the seller would be dealing with, and the decision maker.

Looks like a money maker.

I always got better info when they realized I was the decision maker not just some shirt. 

It's just that the way you worded your original post made it look like you weren't really looking to do a JV with your private Lender; but rather, you were wanting to work out a way of having two mortgages on a $1M property with just $64k to start off with, and you being the sole profit maker from its ongoing income and/or subsequent sale.

But I would have a hard time making NOTHING for 20 years, and paying off a mortgage, to then make rents then... when I could have been making rents for that 20 years...

One is now gone (evicted) and the other struggles each month to make rent.

It doesn't matter whether you are a builder, baker, or candle stick maker, if your intent is primarily to resell a property  then you cannot do a 1031 on that particular property outside of the GTA (Good Till Audited) window. 

Only one of the SFRs said they can't make rent, but their lease is up June 1 (they didn't want to renew, so saw it coming).

I'd love to connect with any local investors who are focused on buy/hold SFR and creative deal makers/  exchangers.   

You are then a match makers vs real estate investor.