My personal preference for a buy and hold would be an already established area (or an area that's still gentrifying, but has already seen significant progress). 

build to rent is great. they are an intermediary that help investors contract direct with turn key new build. they are pretty sophisticated we have sold a house so far and we are looking to sell other multifamily with them. there is a vetting process and as an intermediary they don't control construction they help vet builders and establish relationships. they have a big team. the other builder I've never heard of but unless you can see your house I wouldn't touch it. rent to retirement has a strict policy of 90 days until certificate of occupancy until they will send a deal out they are good at what they do and I'd recommend them. they have options all over the country and established relationships.

Quote from @Victor Patel: I recently invested $60K with a local hard money lender who has been established in the area for decades.

A solid broker has established lending relationships.

While I believe I operated with many of these strategies and tactics EVENTUALLY, I spent a long time “spinning my wheels” early on when trying to negotiate before establishing a rapport.  

Consult Real Estate Attorneys: Attorneys specializing in real estate often have connections with private lenders and can provide referrals based on your specific needs.Engage Mortgage Brokers: These professionals have access to a variety of lending sources and can help identify financing options that align with your objectives.Local Banks and Credit Unions: Establishing relationships with local financial institutions can lead to personalized financing solutions and potential leverage opportunities.By focusing on these qualities and avenues, you can find a business broker and financing options that align with your goals. 

Property managers have established vendor relationships and can handle issues quickly.Cons of Hiring a Property Manager❌ Lower Profit Margins – Management fees (typically 8-12% of monthly rent) eat into your cash flow, which can be a dealbreaker if your margins are tight.❌ Less Control Over Tenants & Maintenance – You won’t be as involved in selecting tenants or overseeing repairs, which might lead to decisions you wouldn’t have made yourself.❌ Not All Property Managers Are Great – A bad property manager can neglect your property, overcharge for repairs, or poorly handle tenant relations, leading to unnecessary headaches.Which Option Is Right for You?

If you want to run your investment like a business you 100% need to establish a solid screening process that makes placing tenants in the future easier.

🙏☺️ I completely understand where you’re coming from & you’re right that owning real estate is a key step toward truly being an investor.I’m still new to the game, but I have a solid plan in place to move toward ownership & establish myself as a real estate investor.

The cost effective way starting is partner with an established wholesaler and they provide people to reach out to or pay for lists and do cold calling/door knocking yourself.