Get you some flyers, bandit signs, and a marker and get to the grind. 

So should I keep grinding and looking for a hard money lender or should I try looking for a different strategy?

ALSO, you will always piss off at least one neighbor that will snitch you out because of the mess, noise, and overall disruption that construction causes.Hopefully, the tradesman have done the work to code.

I wish I did that at your age.Getting into RE as an agent is not going to give you security[if you have banking experience that will help], its a grind and takes time and money to make money.

Vacancy - Rent rate and occupancy rate go hand-in-hand - monitor REVPAR per weekday/weekend/month to really know how you're doingutilities including wifi and surveillance - ideally with remote monitoring and locked in at reasonable temps, smoking/noise/party detectors perishable supplies (paper, coffee, soaps, etc.), linens (towels, sheets, comforters - they need to be thrown out every 3-12 months), Lawn care - not just mow and blow, but garden beds tooPest control - 80/qtr furniture - it doesn't last forever.Maintenance - normal + changing light bulbs, fixing furniture, loose doorknobs, etc.Administrative software - dynamic pricing engine, guest communication system Hosting fees - this is not a passive model.

They grind their way forward on smaller deals or by using friends and family to fund the initial deals. 

Unfortunately there will always be noise and hubbub when it comes to internet forums (especially Facebook pages). 

Have a great day and keep grinding everyone.  

Thanks for the insight I will keep grinding away.

I remember Brandon said something about shopping around, and eventually, finding a broker who can help you sift through a lot of the noise.