HARD MONEY LOANS (ATL GA)....Help!

[Anthony Crawford]

OK...I have been DREAMING about flipping a property for years now and I am ready to make it a reality.  I know traditional bank loan isn't an option for me at the time so I am researching HARD MONEY LOANS.  I am a bit apprehensive because A. This will be my 1st flip  B. I feel like a hard money loan is closely related to borrowing money from the mob lol (Sopranos fan here).

Anyone on here w/ any real hard money loan experience (borrower or lender)???  I would love to get some first hand advice.  Thank you so much.