Even section 8 pays better on this side of the bridge.

One of the best art scenes in the midwest is Fountain Square just across the bridge.  

And of course, these platforms are focused on issuing loans solely for the purposes of real estate investing - rehab, refi, bridge, mezzanine, equity participation and even REO crowdfunding.

Is there a book or other resources you can recommend that discusses construction loans, bridge loans, and the final stabilized commercial loan (the latter I am well versed in).

you will burn bridges fast. very fast.what you can do is make offers with an inspection contingency. this way you can say you found major issues you were not aware of. at times though, they'd need an inspection report from the inspector.

I'm looking to create a bridge from my W2 job to financial and time freedom and help some people along the way.

I have heard of bridge loans but am not 100% sure on how they work.

Some HML will do bridge loans but overall the numbers don't seem to make sense.  

Only if the property needs rehab, where you would be able to build in equity with repairs with a bridge loan.

I like reserving for P/M, but foregoing it at the beginning may be a way to bridge you into getting the deal.