They usually have lower fees, lower interest rates, lower monthly payments and they typically come with checkbook control.

Unfortunately, much of the control over your property has been wrested from you by the state and local government. 

Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.

Keep in control of deal/timeline.  

I hear it often from investors that are mainly in the residential space.The reason they say that is they simply do not have the connections in the larger player space as they do not do most of their business there.Just like residential investors have databases so do commercial investors and brokers.

Not sure what "margins" you are looking for, but we have done very well for our niche.We self manage and that has saved us a lot of money and allowed us to have more control.

Be aware that Baltimore is very much a cash-player town.  

You should only buy and control houses as if your broke.

MLS access is invaluable, and controlling your deals/submitting your own offers has to be amazing.

I want to invest in beach communities.  when I find a property, do the math with a 30-40% down, I barely cash flow, break even, but mostly will pay out of pocket.  Ways I try to cash flow is a higher down payment, but...