Diplomacy when interacting with private lenders.

[Jonathan Girard]

Good evening...

Before starting my online search or searching through all my RE books for the answer to this question, I wanted to hear what your opinions might be...

I'm a semi-educated and skilled newbie with zero deals under my belt, I'm feeling ready to put what I've learned on Bigger Pockets to work but, funding my own deals is still something that I cannot do on my own. Lack of funds and the fact that I'm self-employed as not made it easy to get conventional loans and hard money is expensive. 

As instructed, I've made close friends and family aware of my RE endeavors and they're all very supportive and some have offered to lend, when I'm ready. My question is, what is the proper approach/verbiage so to find out how much available capital they're willing to lend so that I can figure out how to properly use their funds i.e. for help with a down payment, a rehab loan, closing costs or a partnership?

Thanks in advance. - JG.