Find a local lender (probably a credit union as they love these) that offers 2nd mortgages - sometimes called Jr mortgages, HE-loans, or closed-end seconds.

To get a crash course in tenant screening and local tenant landlord laws I'd recommend going to a local REI meet up. 

Giving me the opportunity to better provide for my family and give back to my local community!

I have found my private investors by the following - personal friends, local meetups, real estate conferences.

We have a local STR organization that has filed suit against the STR quota implementation.   

you would do the public good to file a complaint with the DRE in your state and send the fact pattern to Insurance commissioner filing a complaint against the tile company .. and send to the local DA and AG.. 

I'm looking into multifamily (duplex & self landlording) in my local area to get started, but my tri-state area (CT/NY/NJ) has a high entry price point that I'm concerned with over leveraging myself and losing liquidity on my first deal. 

I was at a local meet-up last evening and one of the folks recently purchased a list.

For $1-2k per month operators can generally hire a dedicated local 'Superhost' or experienced local manager/cleaner while enhancing the quality of services rendered.

Aim for a $75,000 ARV to play it "safe".As far as private money you would probably have to find someone local that knows the area and wouldn't have a problem taking ownership of a property like this if things go sideways.My guess is you'll have a tough time finding an individual that wants to loan on it.