NJ Lenders for rehab advice.

[Kevin Johnston]

I am planning to do my first fix and flip in NJ and I am looking for financing.  From what I have been reading, to get private money can be a bit of a challenge for the first project.  I have been doing a bit of research on hard money lenders (and there are certainly a lot out there) but I do not want to get in bed with the wrong lender.  I have seen interest percentages and points run what I think to be fairly high. What are acceptable percentages in this market?  There seem to be quite a few shady companies out there, judging by their websites.(Being a web developer I look at website whois info to find out who the site is registered to and any company information behind it.)  For me when it comes to money deals I need to know who I am working with. Does anyone have any advice for me on this topic.  And please correct me if I am wrong on any of my assumptions.

Thank you!

Kevin