We have 1 single family rental under our belt.  

Once you get a few deals under your belt it will be much easier to build relationships with cash buyers. 

@Eli Joffe the most general but applicable advice in your situation is to start focusing on high cash-flow properties with low equity growth potential in the beginning in order to have the cash to boot strap.Once you have a few properties under your belt, then start phasing in nicer homes which tend to be lower cash-flow with higher equity growth potentialThe former helps you boot-strap using more labor and the latter helps build wealth more passively and with less tenant struggles.

Get some deals under your belt, take some leads from prospect to close and THEN add some leverage like a VA caller.

This new construction home that I am planning to buy in a big neighborhood, however the street that the house is on backups to a gas station with the gas station being about > 500ft away with about a green belt of more than 50ft in between.

First one is under the belt and can't wait to expand and get as many properties as possible!

I'm Jorge Vazquez, CEO of Graystone Investment Group, with over 20 years in real estate and more than 3,500 transactions under my belt, especially here in Florida.

You will have to have an experienced team of contractors under your belt to assess the property and a good realtor who is a great marketer; don't just count on MLS. 

I recommend getting a few under your belt before you get into heavier rehabs

He also had gray hair and a few decades under his belt.