So if you have the cash to purchase three or four properties get them cash flowing and then package them as one commercial loan you may get better rates.

As @Mary M. mentioned, commercial loan would be your ideal choice to purchase this in a package.

Hello, I am currently in escrow on a package of 3 single family homes in Ohio.

I say that because I have found a 14 unit package that gross $5600 per month for $200,000....I can put $60k down in cash currently...but if I back out of the SF home I can put down $100k on the 14 unit property.

Context:Group of 7 units(5 properties) being offered together as a single package. 

I like portfolio lenders that I can do future business with...portfolio in this case means they hold the paper on their own books, rather than packaging up and selling the mortgage onward.  

If they are running a business that ships dozens of packages a day; then you might need to have a talk with them. 

Clearly, you won't be closing any loans without a property, but you need to understand if they have any experience requirements, what their lending package looks like, draw formats so you keep enough in reserve, and overall costs that these loans add to a deal versus, say cash.Overall, the only point I somewhat disagree with is "focus on off-market".  

We run the numbers beforehand, package them up, and make them available to our investors who can choose to take it or leave it based on the data provided.

What package did you sign up for.