@Jason RunkelYou have to nurture the first time private lender.  

Find and nurture a relationship that works for both of you, build your competencies, everything else then falls into place. 

Hopefully you're good at nurturing mentor relationships.

They re-branded as GRID:https://www.meetup.com/grid-reston/From their site on Meetup: Grid (formerly known as CAZA Investor Network) started in 2007 with less than 10 people and has since grown to over 10,000 members in 12+ locations in 3 states.We believe the networking, education and inspiration you need to become a real estate investing pro is best found at the local level – which means that you need local knowledge, local contacts and local resources to help you grow.Grid represents who we are (a power network) and what we do:G: grow (your database)R: return (on relationships)I: invest (in people and assets)D: develop (leadership and expertise)Each Chapter is run by active and experienced real estate entrepreneurs who are doing deals in their area and who have joined Grid to share their stories, facilitate conversations, nurture relationships, and create more business opportunities for everyone in the room.We welcome real estate entrepreneurs of all experience levels to join us in the endeavor to build and expand your reach, knowledge-base, business, and potential.See you out there!

The nice part is that you already have a great track record & you can just roll a lot of your existing investors into the fund, assuming they would be comfortable in a fund structure vs. the arrangement you have now.Is the capital you have available large enough to focus, nurture & duplicate the top 20%-30%?

I might add to my prior post that I've found the business relationships with the attorneys that I've nurtured has been some of the most rewarding of all.

He needs to put that bird in a cage and feed and nurture it.

I was a 23 year old CEO of my company, and felt the same thing-not being taken seriously.I want to give a thoughtful word of encouragement, that it is YOUR RACE, the path is looong and in the end, only with yourself.You DONT need validation from ANYONE, and find the folks who will support you and nurture you.The cynics and naysayers. . . well they SUCK!

But I am excited that I'm verge of planting, growing and nurturing a seed that was planted more than two decades ago.Thanks for the platform that makes this possible BP.

(holding vs. flipping).4) People: Seeking & consistently nurturing deeper relationships with people with a long term approach.5) Mentor(s):  Making it a habit to be around people who I admire & want to emulate.6) Acquiring or trading up to "higher quality" long term assets as soon as possible.7) Never stop looking for deals & making deals: Even when you don't have money or are fully invested.