working short sales takes talent, not for the untrained or the impatientI would talk to a 10+ yr vet of short sale negotiations with the major lenders.

I am reading and listening to podcasts that discuss the benefits of smaller, community lenders.  

This obviously only addresses third party liability, and not recourse a lender might have.Two potential issues with LLCs are (1) how easy/difficult it would be to move the property into an LLC.  

I'm looking for a hard money lender or private lender in Maryland as soon as possible!!

Potential downfalls are that some lenders and future home buyers may see low funding as a risky purchase.

Hello All,Short version: Does any one have a recommendation for a portfolio lender / private lender in SC?

If that's true then it would slightly diminish the advantages of making cash offers because a good lender would only need a few more days to process a loan.  

Talk to a good local lender and ask that question, and go find a great area to buy a duplex in, and enjoy learning how to be a first-time real estate investor using a path many, many first-time investors take.

What questions to ask commercial lenders ? 

Hey @Howard Hebert - I've used a variety of commercial lenders for rental properties and the lowest down payment I've ever come across was 10%.