If you can find an entry level position with a commercial broker or someone like RealPage or Pinnacle I think that could set you up for a great lifetime in real estate.

Should I contact the broker even though I haven't raised the money yet?

My broker sold the loans to SunTrust which owns millions of these...so I'm assuming if you find the right bank or broker that you can definitely find 80% or even 85%.Put another way; here in TX it wasn't very hard to find lenders doing 80% LTV for investment properties, and since they were under a Fannie/Freddie (national) program I would think you could find it too in CA.

You definitely need to connect with some brokers who specialize in this stuff in the areas of the country you're interested in. 

A broker has access to hundreds of lenders.

To that end, can anyone please send me contact info or put me in contact with a reputable commercial broker(s) and/or property manager(s) in Washington, D.C.?

I have broker friends in the area, and I am a commercial real estate appraiser in TX.

But it probably would be helpful to have a local broker.

@kicia Brooks,Generally nowadays a good realtor or broker will request proof of funds, yes.

Working with a broker that knows each banks criteria will be helpful however (they are all different), as they can craft your deal and "story" to a bank that allows for certain "exceptions".