Both are extremely reputable, knowledgable QIs who are active here on BP.Good luck!

Uptown is looking really promising...but it might be a few years before it gets to where it should be.The turnover would be a larger concern for me.

I know I could probably go hard money but my concern is being able to refi into a normal bank loan within 6-12 months because I'm certain my equity won't be sufficient by then, even if I'm reinvesting all profits, and especially since the payments will be interest only. 

The good news is that the criminals you are concerned about usually have other indicators they won't be a good tenant, and you can review those without discriminating.Criminal background checks aren't just disappearing in Portland and Seattle- expect it to be a national trend. 

I would say they have gone to the extreme now.https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/leg...It should be noted the govenment charges people with organized crime and drug dealing if they knowingly rent property for drug dealing or manufacturing.

Which is why you are having a hard time.If it is your first property and you are not looking to do a flip, it is not worth trying to necessarily get the loan under an LLC.Most first time real investors don't have much asset (if any) to protect to be hugely concerned about the liabilities of owning real estates.When you get to a point where you have a lot of assets or significants to protect, you should start to seriously or solely considered doing it under an LLC.Scott Trench wrote a great article, take a look at it.https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2015/06/0...

However, I'm getting concerned with the state of the economy.

I am looking for the best option right now to maximize my passive monthly income (Less concerned about appreciation) and intrigued by a commercial real estate loan to do this for me.

As far as my goals are concerned, I have a few thoughts in mind: 1) I would like to get in touch with a few wholesalers in the area so that I can more quickly and efficiently acquire properties to continue my flipping business,2) I would like to acquire multi family residences as investments to hold and rent,3) I would like to learn more about financing options or best avenues to obtain capital as I do not have a large amount of cash sitting to be used for my business,4) I am interested in syndication deals,5) I would like to become more involved with the local real estate groups,6) Any advice of best ways to use BiggerPockets is always appreciated.Looking forward to hearing your responses and chatting.

Also the Dallas rental market is hot, so vacancy in extremely low.