I would venture a guess that many investors believe that agents who cover the same territory are competitors, however as I'm sure you are aware that there is more success in collaboration as agents than competition.

Currently I have about $1M sunk into a previous business venture, so I expected I would have to pull some equity out but wanted to explore all options first. 

Live in one unit and rent out the others to cover your mortgage.Seller Financing: Negotiate terms with the property seller where they act as the lender, often requiring a smaller down payment and bypassing traditional underwriting.Partnerships or Joint Ventures: Partner with an investor who provides the capital in exchange for a share of the property’s equity or income.Lease Options: Use a rent-to-own agreement, which allows you to control the property while saving for a formal purchase.BRRRR Method (Buy, Rehab, Rent, Refinance, Repeat): Acquire a distressed property with short-term financing, rehab it to increase value, rent it out, and refinance to recoup your initial investment.Pro TipStay in close communication with your lender as you approach your next purchase.

Has a large following .I believe this is new venture Not recommending it or disapproving it as I don’t know enough about it.

I’m now venturing into new opportunities to expand my expertise and grow my portfolio.I joined BiggerPockets to connect with like-minded individuals, share insights, and learn from the incredible wealth of knowledge this community offers.

Actually started this venture about 3 years ago. 

I live in a VERY high demand tourist area with lots of rental properties and I have been working in property management for 5 years. 2 years ago, I ventured out onto my own because I was pregnant and wanted to work from home and stay with my baby.

Investigate "transactional funding" and "joint ventures".    

Another option because of your networking is to joint Venture with someone to get into a deal.

We also had to negotiate access agreements with both adjoining neighbors, which added nearly another $100k.Best of luck in your venture, feel free to contact me directly with any questions or if you would like me to pass along any of my resources.