I have always been a very conservative investor, putting at least 20% down on each property I acquired, but I can't help but wonder if I am leaving a lot of money on the table.

They often charge the interest rate you negotiate or partner on the profits or both.There are legit hard money lenders and you can usually find those by talking to other investors in your area - the local REIA group meetings - at our monthly meeting we have a minimum of 4 Hard Money Lenders who host a vendor table, usually 3 more hard money lenders networking quietly at the back of the room and 20 or so private lenders that you have to find and build a relationship with.Not a one has an advanced fee . . . one Hard Money lender does sometimes - its a $30 or $35 fee to run your credit and get you a pre-approval letter. 

Paul likes to chime in on what he has experienced, but I think he is pretty unique.

I’d like to bring some leads to the table and learn the ropes.

Don't just get stuck with a burnt out gym coach who got their real estate license to put food on the table. 

As you mentioned, only half the property would have qualified and we had a pretty unique opportunity in North Carolina that we couldn't really pass up.

Every market is unique. 

I could have done that too, but if you know Newburgh Hts you can appreciate that its a unique area and comparing a property there to one in Clark/Fulton or Old Brooklyn didn't seem like the best approach to me to price it. 

Unique metrics they use to find these areas?

In terms of comp rents, this property is a little unique in that it looks more like a town home.