I'm making a healthy downpayment cash by doing a cash out refinance on three of my established properties that I know can cover the debt service handily.

Once you establish these relationships, deals will start coming your way effortlessly.

🙏☺️ I completely understand where you’re coming from & you’re right that owning real estate is a key step toward truly being an investor.I’m still new to the game, but I have a solid plan in place to move toward ownership & establish myself as a real estate investor.

BiggerPockets is an excellent platform for networking and establishing connections.

Are you open to working with contractors, or do you stick with established businesses only?

My personal preference for a buy and hold would be an already established area (or an area that's still gentrifying, but has already seen significant progress). 

In-person interactions are great for building trust with potential investors.Real Estate Platforms:BiggerPockets: A robust platform for connecting with private lenders and investors.Fund That Flip, PeerStreet, Groundfloor: Online platforms connecting investors with real estate projects.Social Media Groups: Facebook and LinkedIn groups dedicated to real estate investing often have private investors or lenders looking to connect.Personal Network: Often overlooked, but friends, family, and colleagues may know individuals interested in investing.Private Money Brokers: If you're working on wholesaling deals, you may find brokers who have established relationships with private money lenders.Real Estate Agents: Some agents have connections with private investors, especially those focused on investment properties.For your 50% LTV, it's good to approach investors who may be interested in lower-risk, high-equity deals.

Well I may not be the most seasoned in the world but my wife and I have established processes that work for us. 

The low purchase price, combined with an established market demand, made this an ideal transaction for a fast turnaround and profitable outcome.

While it may seem daunting at first, beginning with a clean slate allows you to establish clear expectations and build a strong landlord-tenant relationship from the outset.