Milwaukee REIA is a resource for finding mentors, contractors, and connections to funding sources as well.

Baseline says users receive the funds in “as little as 2 days”.  

Additionally I don’t want to dip into my personal primary residence rainy day fund.

My Hard Money Lenders held the money in escrow and would not release the funds until the work was done, inspected, and they knew it was properly done. 

We are now looking to get serious about funding our retirement.

I wired the funds on 2/14 so it was a pretty nerve wracking 7 days... 

I don't have experience with the Detroit Land Bank, but generally land banks are pretty reliable, but...they are low money buys (from $1 to $1,000) that require you to show proof of funds for the rehab.

State Street and other large funds are adding it to their fund offerings / adding it to their balance sheets.

With a cash out refi, your rate is fixed, but you’re also paying interest on all of those funds instead of only what you draw.

If financing is part of your strategy, consider exploring fix-and-flip loans, which are tailored to help investors like you fund both the purchase and the rehab of properties.Lastly, start small with your first project, ideally in a neighborhood where you understand the market dynamics.