It seems like MA encourages (and maybe even requires) that you register with the Department of Revenue which leads me to believe it should be held in an LLC or business. 

I can see why you're asking this question because the terms "private lending" "private financing" "creative financing" "hard money" etc get tossed around a lot without explanation.The short answer to your question is that private lending is literally anyone who is willing to give you money other than government or government backed institutions.

. #3 was Salem, MA (Boston/Cambridge).

I will say that, I personally know of 1 institutional lender that does 100% purchase/ rehab loans to qualify for that program you have to more than walk on water to qualify but it real.

From Springfield MA.

My partner, Will, and I are preparing to get into flipping in the Berkshires of Massachusetts in the coming 6-12 months.

Median Price: $678,500, +6.02% Yoy.Closed Sales: 4,216, -11.89% Yoy.YTD Closed Sales: 21,325, +1.38% Yoy.12 Month Closed Sales: 38,118, -8.70 Yoy.Inventory: 6,035, +31.62% Yoy.YTD inventory: 33,454, -1.59% Yoy.New...

I don't know of an institutional investor that will go 100%.

My experience in Massachusetts, where it took nearly a year to evict a non-paying tenant, has made me more selective about the locations I invest in.I am looking forward to learning and sharing insights with this community!

I know lending institutions have foreclosure lists as well.