This probably won't help except as an interesting story.  

If I start to make exceptions I lose control.  

Except for going full time.

The exceptions being that on anything over a single family, you may have the added expenses of providing water, electric and or gas.

I don't have one set up, is it vital?  

I have a potential tenant--excellent all around except she has a judgment on the background screening.

The other owner has not begun pursuing anything except calling me. 

For many it does not work (my partner and me might end up as part of that bucket someday, that is yet to be determined), but there are always exceptions to every "rule" (or popular opinion).  

If you have to get a 3.6 loan just to make this property even come close to penciling it sounds like a bad deal to begin with.A possible exception would be if this property was old and sitting on a bunch of land to develop to a higher use or sell off later on.  

It's very simple and this samee deal allowed me to buy my 5th home last year, in the same position, except that I was living in South korea then and my job was there.