You can always put some skin in the game while still having private investor(s) involved. 

I now have 13 and figure I need 50 to replace my job.I'm cautious by nature so I haven't been as aggressive as I could have been but I'm getting more so.

I have three comparables on the same street of the same historic nature (much higher value too) and other figures in the industry agree with my comparables including the cooperating agent.

First of all, most hard money lenders are not going to lend you 100% of the purchase and rehab cost - they expect you to have skin in the game and put about 20% down. 

It's worked out great as I've done a few large apt deals and my experiences and earning potential is far greater than I ever thought was possible this early on.I say this because its natural to want the safety net from leaving one good paying job and wanting to jump back into someone else paying you for another job.  

@Jd Martin bad income is very subjective and there's always a chance that I excel in the field because I have a natural business mindset.

Typically this is the responder, someone who is in a tight spot and might overlook the impersonal and unprofessional nature of the YL.  

My primary concern is the changing nature of renting a unit in a building whose units are being converted to day rentals, comparable to Airbnb.

Naturally, I'm Canadian, so I need someone who understands both Canadian and US tax laws.Ideally, if they were located in Markham or Richmond Hill, it would make it even better!

Linoleum actually is all natural and buffs and polishes beautifully.