All of the lender told me they won't lend money if I don't have most of the equity on the land I'm building on.

You will be more in the $350k range for a loan assuming the bank will lend on the land. 2) income will be verified on taxes so if you are not reporting the cash as income - it will kill your DTI and could create an issue.3) see number 1 for LTV constraints4) DTI will be difficult without taxable income that can be documented - likely created an issue. 3 houses that don't create income will heavily offset those that do.

One in DFW, DFW Hard Money Lender (not sure if they lend nation-wide), and one in Houston, Zues Mortgage (they do hard money nation-wide).

. - In line with hard money lenders you could look to p2p lending platforms like Lending Club. - One other option is borrowing against your existing property but don't know if that is worth the risk- Some local banks or community development financial institutions might be open to giving you a loan even with your circumstances if it falls within their community / social mandates. - Even if the person you are thinking of can't help you, maybe there are folks on bigger pockets who want to go in on this with you esp. if you have the deal sourced...I can't tell you if any of these are the right solutions, completely depends on your specific circumstances but hopefully some avenues you can explore!

That being said the lending value of the home will change.  

My questions are:  1) if CI and friends are so "excited to lend you money" why is it so hard to borrow with good credit +cash without the lender spending all of yours? 

I am trying to plan my next purchase, but what is most holding me back, is that i am on commission, and cannot qualify for much as my 2 year mark (when commission is lend-able on) is not until OCT. 2019.

Coming up on my 60 birthday, so I would like to explore more passive investment options including (1) Hard Money Lending, (2) Private Money Lending, (3) Buying and Selling Notes, (4) Syndication or even, (5) Tax Lien Certificates. 

I am considering forming a syndication in Louisville Kentucky, and I see that most syndications are closed-ended. 

If you can find private lenders who have some money and will lend it for around 7-10% interest with no points, that makes sense to use up front (and then later refinance with a bank).