Looking for options/ideas to fund my first flip

[Jasmine Russell]

I'm a little lost on how to begin. Looking for some opinions. I do not have capital. I MAY have a lender for down-payment. What is the best way to go about this. If anyone has a good hard money lender please DM me. How did any of you find private lenders and skip the middle man? Did any of you start doing flips with no cash on your own? I hate the fact that I would have so many peoples money in this but I can not think of any other way. I've watched hot deals pass by me and I'm watching closely. I'm a total rookie obviously and I need a game plan here. I have a few off market deals that are great that I wish I could just pounce on. My credit is good btw but I have no equity and not a lot of income coming in. My eye is on hard money lenders but I have a hunch that some of these people reaching out are not legit or are trying to rip me off. Why would someone be so desperate to lend when they do not even know me. Can someone shine some light for me!? Signed, super frustrated go getter that's not actually going anywhere right now.