I think the first step would be to contact a lender and figure out our best options moving forward.

Your goal is to plant the idea in their mind and create a situation where selling to you feels like the easiest and most logical solution for them.If you haven’t already, the first step is to get pre-approved for a mortgage so you know what you could afford if you were to purchase the property conventionally.

It’s great to see you starting so young, kudos for taking the first step.

Propose starting small, like a single-family rental or house hack, with a clear, low-risk plan to minimize concerns.Leverage your industry connections and offer to handle the initial responsibilities, demonstrating your commitment and capability.

It is very easy and doesn't have to be contentious. just follow the steps.

The pro development and affordable housing advocates use the term NIMBY, but I suspect it is the rare person that buys in a single family zoned area that would be thrilled to have 17 units (qp16 additional units added) in the lot next to them.My initial protege was the land source on this effort.  

Joining BiggerPockets is a fantastic first step – it’s where so many great real estate journeys start.

Getting his/her initial reaction could open the door to an agreement that works for both of you.

Learn the trade at your door step and max.

So, you need to get your paperwork all in order with a lender (be it the hml, a bank, a credit union, mortgage lender, etc.) so that before the hard money loan expires/is due, you can refi into a conventional, long term loan.If you understand the brrrr process and its refi step.