In winter I can make sure the propane costs are kept in check by varying the temps based on out side temps.I love technology!

While I'm sure this will vary from appraiser to appraiser, I've noticed in my markets that appraisers seem to be more willing to use older comps before they'll extend the radius of their search.I've been in your position before (numerous times) and here's the approach we took (sometimes it worked and sometimes it didn't - just depended on that specific appraiser):If you had multiple offers on the property, make sure the appraiser is made aware. 

It varies in every market.

This can vary greatly depending on the type of commercial real estate (industrial is vastly different from a hotel, for example).

You also don't want to get into the game of discounting rent. 

You'll find that quite a few engineers turn to real estate as it's just a numbers game and we're all good at math.

I started investing in real estate about 18 months ago but I have acquired 7 single family homes that I manage myself so just Get In The Game and GO FOR IT!

bottom line is they talk a great game give you terms that you think you found a fold mine..etc.. nothing more than a sophisticated Nigerian  prince scam.

@Karan Malhotra I think @Jay Hinrichs and I are on different pages of the same book.I was probably getting too far in to the weeds to stick with the "general requirements" theme @Timothy Albright set up.I was simply putting the info out there that a hard money lender is going to require some "skin in the game".

seems like that is a bank refi situation not a raise private money so the owners have little to no skin in the game