Many mortgage shops do NOT allow their loan officers to also be RE agents on the same transaction to much of a conflict of interest. 

These are the first things I look at.Lastly if someone is advertising on BP, it’s not a bad or good thing - all it means when someone advertises on BP or pays BP to be promoted it just means they paid to be on the website.

I'm in a small town with nobody to really network with on a regular basis.

Please be aware that all national homebuilders, and I would assume solar developers as well, will want enough time in the contract to conduct substantial due diligence, rezone (if needed), and get all required land development permits in place before closing on the land. 

With just 5% down (yes, I paid PMI initially), we moved into the main bedroom, used the small first-floor room as my office, and rented out the other three bedrooms on Airbnb and Furnished Finder.

I've been reading a few books on Bigger Pockets.

Would it beat what you are getting on the 65k property?

Being novices in the game we do not have the legal or business background to know where to begin on accepting funds.

@Anthony DiSanzowhy not stay within driving distance to be hands-on? 

Did not know about tools on how screan tenants.