Lending hard money for the first time: need help

[Emma Powell]

New to the site.

We are first-time investors looking to lend out hard money starting in March and need to be cashed out by Sept/Oct. We just relocated to Salt Lake City and don't know anyone. Attending our first Utah REIA meetings in SLC next week. We originally wanted to just buy a rental property with the money, but more and more we are leaning toward lending it out instead.

What credentials should we look for, questions should we ask, terms and contracts we should consider, types professionals for advice should we hire, really anything that will help us not make stupid newbie mistakes.

Any advice and referrals are welcome!