What other kinds of loans or financing strategies are available that don't involve using too much of your own cash?

Account Closed said, income and assets are the only "hassle" with a conventional loan.

Once you have a short list, get an account with each one and run them through the wringer to see how they function.

How much upfront costs are typically involved in a project before you know if it's a viable project to pursue? 

$700 negative cashflow without taking into account several expenses.

I managed my own Airbnb account for the first 3 months after handing it over to Evolve.

Also helping was a relationship with that bank (deposit accounts) and good credit. 

There's no step by step guide but there are key things : Learn: RE strategies, what interests you, what do people in your area need.Connect: find a mentor, accountability group and be around those doing what you want to do.Help: solve problems- do people need dealflow, property mgmt, construction expertise, etc. 

With online access to almost every jurisdictions property recordings, lenders today use software that automatically searches property transfers for transfers involving their loans.  

And that's not even taking into account the regular tenant BS.