Some recommendations I would have which are more focused on mindset and self-development are:The Miracle Morning - Hal ElrodThe Wealthy Gardner - John Soforic10x rule - Grant Cardon 

its tough to vet in states that require no license.. but a couple of things.1. go local go to company that you can walk in their office and meet the staff/owners.2. talk to title company in the market they are in and just ask if they fund some will tell you a simple yes or no.But really its more about common sense and common sense says that with prime at 9 can conventional loans at 8%  how can private money be 5 or 6%  .. there is cheaper money for the very wealthy.. one of my clients in Honolulu i was with last week secured a 10 mil loan at 4.9% fixed 10 years that is a secured LOC against his free and clear MF and commercial holdings which are well north of 100 mil in value that was sitting there free and clear.. plus another check book Unsecured LOC for same rate for 2.5 mil..  

I have come to realize that while cash flow is essential, wealth is built from appreciation.

I am looking to build passive income and wealth. I

And on the lender side, you definitely need a team unless you are wealthy. 

That type of appreciation is not what you should expect but high appreciation markets are the ones where real wealth is made.I am in the process of looking for a 2-4 unit in SD as my next house hack but it is very difficult to make the numbers work with multi-family here.

Cash flow is making me rich but appreciation has made me wealthy!

I have wealthy friends. do I borrow money to buy a house do they buy it in there name if I borrow cash from them and buy it. will it look suspicious and the bancruptcy court will think I had hidden money. just don't know how to start. thanksmike

Accumulation of wealth is not a goal in itself.

As others have mentioned using primary residences to build wealth is slower, especially if you stay in one forever.