Use my own money or use a hard money lender?

[Evan Bell]

Wondering whether I should use money from an inheritance I'm getting to do a fix and flip, or find a hard money lender instead. This will be my first deal on my own, as the last one I did was a partnership with my dad where he supplied all the money needed. My thinking for using a hard money lender is that I could utilize other people's money and keep the majority of my inheritance on hand as a reserve. I'm planning to start out with entry level fix and flips, 2bd/1ba-3bd/2ba in established neighborhoods. Any input is appreciated as I have never gone the hard money route before, but it seems like it might be a good idea, especially if I were able to do the deal and keep the inheritance as a kind of safety net. Thoughts?