Lenders have been accommodative for the last couple of years because they were facing a declining market with no buyers. 

With actual cash, you just transfer it. yes, but you can still bid with lender approval - without appraisal contingency - you send in deal (app), it gets approved by lender its functionally the same as cash (except in true lightning speed situations where there is a quick auction with little time to prep but thats generally pretty rare I'd think)Right, but that's not cash or functionally the same as cash because the lender can change the terms at the last minute, as often happens with less experienced hard money lenders.

I would talk to some lenders  getting land loans and development loans with no experience is next to impossible starting out.. 

This is investing privately as a lender to a local investor or being LP on an investment such as a syndication.

However, I got into real estate mostly relying on OPM - private lenders, seller financing, and business lines of credit.I also don’t like the idea of buying turnkey properties at a premium.

Someone taking out a mortgage for the first time has NO history of paying a mortgage on their credit score, BUT lenders still believe the score is useful!

AI tip 2: a friend of mine wrote an app (beta) for landlords to market themselves on a regular basis by soliciting reviews from tenants.

I reviewed the SB9 legislation, and it states that properties occupied by a tenant in the last 3 years are excluded from SB9 but only if the project includes demolition or altering more than 25% of the exterior structural wall.

I am now currently a Superhost my first Airbnb has over 50+, 5-star reviews!!! 

If you're willing to be more active, purchase a property or two in an area you personally know well and have key contacts (handypeople, contractor, lender, etc.).