The time has come for me to start investing in real estate and before doing so i'm looking to build a strong and dedicated team of partners: agents, lenders, contractors and property managers mainly in the Cleveland area (but also open to markets within a 2-3 hr drive away) that already possess an excellent track record in their line of work and that value long term collaboration.

Also, if you are a minority, WRA has the Partnership for Success program, which helps pay for your start up costs.

Quote from @Brendan M Hornung: I reside in Southern California and started my investment journey in March of last year by purchasing a sub-to single-family home in AL.

Most larger communities will have a Homebuilders Association, i would start networking to find a builder that can finance the construction. 

Quote from @Chris Lin: BackgroundI started my journey with REI Nation (formerly Memphis Invest) in 2019.

However there are lenders starting to roll out a 15% down option. 

My first impression is that your numbers in the current economic climate seem a little rosy.I also have friends that are builders and I try to stay in touch with them on costs as we mostly do "to the studs" renovations when we buy a place. 

You don't have to spend a fortune and buy a house directly on the beach to do well, but your starting price point for a viable option in this market is around $350-$450k for a solid 2-3 bedroom oceanfront condo or around $500k for a 3-4 bedroom house within walking distance of the beach. 

Let's start there. 

Write it up to an education, spend some time sharpening your support team (particularly in the trades) and start thinking about how you can do it again!