- is it hard to find reliable builders in the area?

@Jeffrey HolstAs a real estate agent and investor; you know the key is to have reliable and trust worthy property manangement company to handle the payments; vacany; maintanence etc.

Maybe put the real estate investing on the back-burner while you get your new business off the ground and producing reliable income for you that looks good to lenders.

If you have some reliable contacts in that market and are okay overseeing some rehab from afar, buying off the MLS, Zillow etc. is fine once you find a property that meets your criteria. 

Are there any reliable websites or databases available?

Yes, the higher the rent to value ratio, the better, but some of my most reliable cash flow producing props have a ratio lower than 1%.

The PMs now have reliable contractors who know I will scrutinize very carefully what they do if needed.

Seeking to build an honest, reliable, and legitimate team to invest in my first house hacking multifamily property (preferably duplex, but open to triplexes, or 4plexes if the numbers make sense).

You’ll go through a dozen before you find reliable workers you like, do good work, and you can trust.

The zillow comp is not reliable enough to be counted on.