@Damon AlbersI hate the alphabet rating system because it is such an arbitrary thing that boils down many important factors to one letter. 

You need to develop a subject matter expertise and treat this like the hands on business that it is. 

I would talk to some lenders  getting land loans and development loans with no experience is next to impossible starting out.. 

Michael,   A good book to purchase is "Professional Real Estate Development: The ULI guide to Business.   

That takes a little time to develop those resources - but they naturally come with experience.

See, when building a portfolio, appreciation is key, and the #1 factor that will dictate things.

That’s the very simplified version but raising capital is always your biggest limiting factor so the more investors you can connect with the better. 

I want to develop my sales skills to negotiate better deals.

However, you have to invest in specific communities where they are encouraging development.

Like I brokered a 22  lot development of duplex's for a builder and just charged him 30k flat fee per sale.. they sold for 225k each back in 05 when I did this and I sold them all in one weekend at a big event i paid for in San Jose CA.. all to CA investors it was my fly and buy program I did in those days..