Any good resources for learning about hard money loans?

Are you really going to argue that none of the millions of investors who own them have made any money?

Once your emergency account has a reasonable amount in it, whatever that means to you, you might want to think about steering that payroll money into the investment savings account from each pay check and leave the emergency account money as is.

Are you looking to just put the money to work or looking to be personally involved in getting, rehabbing, and dispo of deals?

Use that sales money to buy more stock. 

We had a plan to build a large real estate portfolio and then sell it in five years and divide the money.

Time is money—choose someone who can execute efficiently without disrupting your revenue.8.

Quote from @Jaikevis Reams: In order to put a property under contract I need to provide proof of funds I know that I can get that from a hard money lender but I don’t meet there criteria for a loan approval what should I do? 

Cash and Hard money How did you add value to the deal?

If I were the neighbor, it sounds like I'd be the only one bringing money to the table so you could get something you want.