Does anyone have recommendations for:- Lenders (Commercial, Portfolio, Private Money)- General Contractors for sporadic work- CPA and attorneyJust laying the groundwork for ourselves. 

One of my favorites that set the groundwork for all the possibilities in real estate. 

Are you in Austin now or just doing remote groundwork?

It could be tough to establish that relationship in the short term, so this deal may fall through, but laying the ground work now can be fruitful in the future as well.I would seek out local RE investment facebook groups or meetups (if possible) and start talking with other investors in your area. 

My goal of achieving Financial Independence (FI) laid the groundwork that eventually led me to cultivate an interest in Real Estate.

You must LAY THE GROUND WORK and set the STANDARD for this tenant or it could bite you.

I’m laying the ground work to start investing career in a couple months.

If I could rewind and start over, I'd do all the ground work myself, head to your local RE events & meetings, and learn the ropes yourself :)I'd only recommend out of state (non local) investing to seasoned investors.

I am entering into a joint venture with a local contractor/landlord who will be managing and doing most of the ground work in the floor.

Especially if i'm missing something major here:I currently have three properties:3/2 Condo upside down (owe 90k)3/2 SFH with ~60k Equity (owe 60k)5/3.5 with ~110k Equity (owe 225k)DTI ~40% +/-I've found a quadplex for ~150k bringing in 2k/mo and want to make this my next move.I've had my agent do some back ground work and it looks to have a pretty solid rental history with one tenant in place since '03.