You can get free advice on BP, from other realtors, lenders, contractors and other investors.

My lender is about to prequalify me for $250-350k, and I target the Cincinnati market as I am located in LA, California, so an out-of-state investment.

The reps i've spoke to say it's a private money lender but I just want to make sure they're a legitimate company.

However, there is such a thing as a self-directed solo 401k plan which is very popular for those who are self employed.Following are the similarities and differences between the solo 401k and the self-directed IRA.The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k Similarities Both were created by congress for individuals to save for retirement;Both may be invested in alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals tax liens, promissory notes, private company shares, and stocks and mutual funds, to name a few;Both allow for Roth contributions;Both are subject to prohibited transaction rules;Both are subject to federal taxes at time of distribution;Both allow for checkbook control for placing alternative investments;Both may be invested in annuities;Both are protected from creditors;Both allow for nondeductible contributions;Both are prohibited from investing in assets listed under I.R.C. 408(m); andNeither may be invested in your own business.  

On top of that, I must have shopped around to almost 20 lenders and their interest rate/LTV were the best I found thus far for my credit average (around 690 at the time).

If the lender has filed against the homeowner, everything is at the court and is public record. 

As a new investor, my head is all over the place so if anyone could give me tips or any hints as to where I can find a lender to help my situation that be great.

I'd love to see a pro member feature that used private slack channels for members. 

I would much rather pay tax on just the interest income rather than on a distribution of that amount, that I've already previously paid income tax on.But, when getting funding for deals, from either hard money lenders or other lenders, will having that loan on the books create a roadblock that could make getting funding more difficult, potentially costing me deals?

I am not sure if the initial capital needs to be private or not.Please give suggestions on the best practice to opening/funding LLC business account (while trying to have anonymity in Texas by using a registered agent.)Thank you.