I know this type of property will help me build financial independence much quicker than SFH's, but I don't have the $ for the large down payments that these properties will require.

This is done many times to take advantage of the economies of scale in owning larger assets.  

I own a 10.55 acre farm field in PA where I'm looking to put down a large gravel pad.

I own right at 2 dozen rental properties and thought I had creative financing "behind" me as my business has matured and my portfolio loan has grown with it.Until...We are looking at purchasing a large tract of land.

Like Brent stated, you could look to do a fix/flip and then if the market supports it, leverage this property to scale up into other properties.I think the only thing that I can add is to identify your goals (short term and long term) and to research and educate yourself about interest rate trends, options, and about investing in real estate.

This in large part will be dependent on advice from your mortgage company/broker.  

The commercial loans don’t have as large of a secondary market for the banks to sell to so they want shorter paper.

Sure people brag about getting a large apartment with their first or 2nd deal on BP all the time, but they don't tell you what happened 5 years later. 

I know Eagle rock is the place to be, but also the other one also pays for itself.Eagle rock has a long way to cover its own expenses as the other 2 tenants pay so low rents and does not seem like they will be going anywhere any time soon, so I am not sure if I invest in the Eagle Rock property and carry a large negative for at least next 10 years or go with the Bread and Butter property and stay in a not so good neighborhood.What do you guys think, a better neighborhood or an easier investment in a not so good area?

I usually recommend that out of state investors do not take on large projects until they are confident with their teams, but I have plenty of CA clients who have purchased moderately distressed homes and put a $15k remodel in.