Think across the river or highway from the East End, or south/north of downtown in neighborhoods that have easy access to the city and walkable downtown areas.

Keeping your cash flow separate is smart, but you might as well make that money work for you.I’d look into a high-yield savings account or money market account—at least you’ll earn some interest while keeping it accessible.

Quote from @Anthony Stephenson: Is Raisemasters more for rehabbers wanting more/cheaper access to money OR is is geared more towards those wanting to build a lending business? 

If you have access to some money you can increase your equity in one jump.

If they need access to the property immediately, you can offer to leave to them until you are ready to close. 

This will cost you $3-$4K, depending on your state, and will allow you access to the MLS.

I’m a broker that has access to conventional, non-QM, and hard money loans.  

But, I also think the access to information today: all the books, these forums, conferences, gurus on social media...  

Regarding a HELOC, most banks will only provide a HELOC up to 75-80% of the property value, so you may not be able to access a HELOC for a while.

Finally, as an aspiring/budding lender, I don't have as much access to mentors, but then again it's easier than rehabbing/flipping and probably easier than buying and holding and managing multifamily.