Slowly scaling up to 5 or more per year utilizing conventional, hard money and peer to peer lenders to finance.My long-term goals over the next 7-10 yrs are to leave public accounting, achieve financial independence by earning monthly income of $10K - $20K, and become a full-time Real Estate Investor!

Call every local independent bank, ask for the branch manager or commercial loan officer.

That being said, if you are married you will also know the value of maintaining independence within the relationship. 

However, I'd like to do my own independent research to learn more about the area.  

Compared to a loan with a 12% interest rate you’re looking at a difference of $1,250 - $2500. 4.Each property does go through an evaluation process where we send out 2-3 local independent evaluators to the property to determine the After Repair Value of the property.

We use Citizens and shop every year via our independent broker.

Raytown, Independence, Grandview, Blue Springs, Raymore are all good areas to look into.  

Most are just guys that used to work for someone else and have enough independance to start their own company and if you can bring them consistent work they can match just about anyones price.

Let me start by saying you've made a wise choice to learn more about the real estate industry because it truly is a great vehicle for creating financial independence.

A HELOC is a good way to being able to seize an objectively and independent good investment where you simply would like less $s in the deal or the use of the funds help you be able to do the deal.