Help getting started - roadblocks.

[Catherine E Hebert]

Hi, this is my first post in the bigger pockets forum.  I have been a dedicated pod cast listener for the last year.  I’ve also read many of the bigger pockets books as well as many other real estate investing books. I am a real estate appraiser in northeastern Connecticut. The quiet corner. I have been an appraiser for 19 years and am very familiar with the local market. I absolutely love everything about real estate.  Right away I’m going to say that most of my capital is tied up in a home improvement project on my primary residence.  We began an addition and the contractor stopped showing up - and a lot of money is unaccounted for. We have hired an attorney and are in the process of trying to get some of our money back.  The biggest problem is the house is under construction and I can’t tap into any equity. It’s a 24x26 1.5 story addition.  It has a poured concrete 4 foot crawl space and the exterior walls have been constructed and very minimal second floor framing.  The capital we have I need a to save to find another contractor and complete this project.  (We have a new contractor working on a bid). Luckily the wall hasn’t been broken through and the addition is completely separate.  The addition was supposed to be done in last July.  At that point the plan was to start on my investing journey once we were completed.  I’m now feeling like my hands are tied and I’m locked in a completely unmovable position. I want badly to get started.  Does anybody have any ideas for lending?  I have so many real estate goals.  I am really interested in short term rentals as well as some long term rentals.  I would love to get into flipping and brrrr-Ing.  I’m going to need many more contacts and better experiences with contractors before I will feel comfortable with anything that needs repair.  This experience with our primary home project has put a little dent in my confidence in other people.  Right now I’m just focusing on trying to save up a down payment.  I know there are ways to get no money down loans and find financial money partners.  I’m just beginning and I’m a sponge trying to soak up all information.  If anybody has any advise I would really appreciate it.  I have been working in this industry for nearly 20 years and do have a lot to contribute.  Thanks for any advise.