Basically, I need a whole team: a real estate agent, a loan broker, possibly a property manager, etc.

I've been a land broker in southern California for the past fifteen years, selling land both to the big, national builders and also to boutique builders. 

Also you have to constantly look for customers and you competing with highly competitive hard money lenders.Lendng under $50k is great idea because most HML don't do loans less then 100k.So I found that traditional real estate is much more passive and easier but I still be interested in private lending on a deal to deal basis I such deal falls into my inbox and it passes all check and balances. 

Connect with real estate investors, brokers, and other private lenders.

We have bought through this realtor before.I selected a Buyers broker to represent me, versus working with the Owner/Realtor to buy his ground. 

@David Garcia I would also get a quote from a broker.

As a real estate broker here in South Florida, I have recently observed a noticeable trend in the real estate market: an uptick in what many are referring to as "Price Improvements" on property listings.

CA allows multi bene loans but they must be originated  by a CA RE broker.

Shannon,I have some customers that purchased in and around Salisbury, NC and they have found some good deals in terms of purchase price to cash flow ratio on investment rentals.

You'd need to create custom Tags to make it work, which isn't hard, but its a bit more time consuming.