How did you get started in private lending?

[Anderson Charles]

I am an landlord and own 5 properties, 3 are free and clear. I just finished the private lending book, so I feel like a brand new private lender - hence the starting out post. For those that do private lending - what are the biggest pitfalls you have found that you didn't expect in the beginning? I'm a bit nervous to take out mortgages on the properties to then lend out - so I wanted to see what could be some risks that maybe the book didn't cover.