Quote from @Michael Challenger: I have no qualms with hard money lending, but I need to learn more about the process and structure to these for typical deals so that I am more comfortable and in a position to reduce my personal risk and risk to investors as much as possible.

You need to be extremely organized and create processes and systems.

I just got off the phone today with an investor-friendly real estate agent in another state (not NYS) who has a whole team behind her and has made it seem as if real estate investing is a much simpler process.

I just went throught the entire screening process and its more like $6,800. 

Additionally, I expect applicants to follow instructions in the advertisement and application, to make and keep appointments, to show up on time for appointments, dress and behave appropriately at appointments, and in general demonstrate throughout the process that they are someone that is easy and pleasant to do business with.

Here's an example process and timeline for New Jersey: https://www.doorloop.com/laws/new-jersey-eviction-process

The more you know ahead of time, the easier the process will be.

Moving on was tough, but helping him make peace with that was main part of the negotiation process no one else touched on.

Lessons learned are related to the title process I use with sellers and buyers.

It's easier and faster to wholesale then go through the process of getting your license.