Then I would co broker deals with someone experienced in the field, learn as much as you can before you start venturing off on your own. 

Hi BiggerPockets community,I have spent some time and been successful in the residential market (flipping homes) and wanting to diversify my real estate investment portfolio by venturing into rental apartments. 

I buy properties in AS IS condition and  mostly in New Jersey area but I want to venture on other areas and help homeowners that are facing foreclosure.

We borrowed money from my wife's mother for a joint venture flip.

This deal will be financed by equity and debt investments including angel, venture, family office, and limited partnerships.How did you add value to the deal?

Your best bet is to network at a local REIA and find a good private lender or other investors who will do a joint venture deal with you. 

Building relationships with experienced wholesalers can also open doors to joint ventures and off-market deals, giving you a head start in the industry.

Additionally, national lenders like Chase and Wells Fargo have strong multi-family loan programs that cater to out-of-state investors.Scaling OwnershipGiven your available cash and equity, here are a few strategies to consider:Leverage Existing Equity: Utilize the equity in your current properties through a cash-out refinance or HELOC to increase your purchasing power.Partnering with Other Investors: Consider syndications or joint ventures, which can help you scale more quickly without using all your own capital.Diversify Markets: While the Midwest is great, keep an eye on emerging markets across the country that may offer similar benefits.Focus on Value-Add Opportunities: Look for properties where you can increase value through renovations or improved management.I specialize in selling new construction duplexes in downtown Indianapolis, and I’ve found that multi-family properties here provide strong returns.

We are in a business/ venture that requires more customers, not less to charge more.

I would even venture to guess that it is not a simple letter to the lender or trade that gets a lien release.