The short story...is it impossible to find private or hard money loans owner occupied in NY state?

Your partner would qualify for a private money line of credit,  They require some experience. 

Hey Adam, if you have a good job, plan to keep it and aren't particularly interested in swinging a hammer... sounds like syndication / private lending may be a good option to get some passive income. 

@Ryan Sykes with a private lender you can get 75% of value at 90 days & 80% at 6 months.

I've found the best rates for lending to an LLC are coming from the "Private Banking" side, which is normally offered to customers who have a larger amount of holdings within the bank

Reading over the rules again, it also says board can hold private meeting and vote on decisions without the members present.

That said, as a TK provider, we get 1-2 investors per WEEK reaching out to us privately on BP, wanting to "partner" with us on a BRRRR. 

Feel free to send me a private message!

I have credibility with other agents and even with private sellers. 

Finding private money sources (ma and pa types with money) is probably a better way to go, although it takes time to find those sources.