Since you’re already diving into BiggerPockets, focus on clarifying your investment goals (house hacking, multifamily, or BRRRR), building your network with experienced investors and lenders, and most importantly, taking action by analyzing real deals.

Using spreadsheets is doable but not very scalable depending on how much you're dealing with.  

And private financing can be wise if you are a diligent investor, which it seems like you are:)*If I would have known then what I know now, I would have used my first loan to land the largest deal that I could have. 

The have interviews, tips, and tricks to getting started.

That was an excellent non-answer to my question, Skyler. hihi :)No they are not all the same. some are only interested in dealing with conventional purchases other are as you say better at handling assignments or double closes, some are commercial specialty, etc....A investor friendly one would be, at least from my point of view, one that understands there may need to be some last minute wheeling, dealing, and adjustment made to close a deal, understand what needs to be done and do not freak out about creative deals.Maybe my understanding or thoughts are wrong but that's what I meant by investor friendlyregards :) 

Appraisals are backed up and on the right timeline of investor deals, every day counts when you need toBeef up the appraised ARV to get a healthier LTV.Hope this helps!

Often times someone passes their NMLS test, hangs their license, does a few Fannie/Freddie deals, then tries to get into investor lending.

One didn't make your list.1) I see people all the time raising money for real estate deals but they call it a partnership either because they are ignorant of the law or they are trying to avoid paying for all the legal work. 

Quote from @Robert Ellis: Quote from @Damien Davis: Hello BP Community,I'm a rookie investor, only have one deal under my belt (Long term rental) and it's been treating me very well.

I've seen many investors get burned because they failed to understand their hard money loan terms/rates, even if they did acquire what should have been a home run deal.