hard money lender

[Kelvinia Mejia Sambula]

I have a lender who is willing to loan me 64 percent of the value of the home I want to invest in. However, he is not explaining to me how much I have to work with so that that I know how much the property amount I should look at. He only lends in Kern County.
I live here. I first saw his ad in the neighborhood newspaper. As with most people, I am looking for a way to get out of debt, repair my credit history and buy a house in Los Angeles County. I liked that I did not have to worry about getting my credit report pulled all the time.
Is this kind of thing normal with private lenders? Help a Newbie. I am new to everything, but I have been interested in investing in Real Estate for many years.

I have reading a lot on BP; I am glad I found it.