It's a private transaction so I'm not as subject to market pressures in respective to timelines like an on market deal.  

I usually get loan from private lenders with 8% interest and it was quick and easy. 

My wife is uneasy with these types of loans due to the balloon aspect, but I'm generally OK with them, as I keep a solid credit score, good income, ample reserves, and have good relations with many conventional and private lenders.

Here is another question that I'm sure has been asked before but maybe times change...Besides say the BP Reports of the deal analysis is there anything else that would be smart to include to private or otherwise lenders and or partners, in a nice presentation folder or the like.

The single biggest thing to help us was having local people we could trust when we ran into crazy situations.... since it seems to happen a lot in real estate! 

(And on private property, of course!)

It seems to me that there's a hard limit on how far they can rise without tanking the entire economy given the level of public and private debt as well as the impact on financial markets. 

I think it is easy to get sucked into the reports saying Tampa is one of the biggest booming real estate markets in the country and leave the place you know.  

Hello - I'm just starting out and the biggest hurdle for me is related to obtaining the necessary funds for a down payment.

Maybe you can find a private bank that can do a HELOC.