Find a couple of lenders who lend in the area you are looking at. 

You might also meet title agents who have resources on, say, foreclosures or probates…and might recommend lenders who actually lend on more difficult projects (as the title companies also know which lenders can close and which are difficult).I also go visit open houses to see what sorts of finish to put on my renovations or to look for the next house or area in which to purchase.  

From my experience, attending local meetups, lending-specific events, and networking with experienced investors can open doors.

In application, if someone comes to me on a home they just purchased w/ nothing down, the FHA Title 1 loan will lend them up to 25k on a SFR or 12k per unit on a multi up to 5 units.Jason

Quote from @Deborah Wodell: I’m looking to connect with private money lenders or investors who lend their own funds for real estate deals.

@Brody TrottStarting a real estate career as a firefighter offers lending advantages and flexibility.

They are billed as "a scientific approach to single-family rentals" and use "institutional grade property management," which usually means they are a tech company in real estate and likely either don't have the existing property management relationships in each area or you chose an area where they don't have enough units through Roofstock for the PM they chose to care.

If you have not flipped a home, do not have a rental property, and do not own a primary residence, you may have a hard time getting into lending.

I am very familiar with the Alabama market and can lend some insight into that market as well.

That is what they will lend on.