Does anyone have any knowledge of the crowd funding space?

As per my knowledge you can take up to 50% funds out of your 401K as loan.

Our only problem is getting the funding.

As suggested, focus on what the rest of the credit report tells you regarding history of collections, accounts 60 and 90 days overdue and just how much of this applicants funds are tied up in financial obligations (car loans, student loans, etc.)

As I'm conducting more research,  I believe it's best to start off without forming a legal entity until I secure sufficient funding.  

A redacted proof of funds never hurts…don’t make them ask.3. 

I have seen folks try for years to find these mythical private lenders and never do a deal because they can't raise a dime.what the OP is looking for is an asset based lender.. and those are not very common anymore.. especially if you have to find one on the internet means you don't have a track record and have little to no chance of finding anyone who is going to 100% your deal.. unless its just such a low LTV that they are making the loan with a better than 50% chance of owning it when the borrower can't pull it off because the borrower is not experienced and can't execute.  

Don't you, as the home-owner, get to release the funds in segments after they complete each phase?

@Cee Jay,If you feel that strongly about it, start lining up your funding sources now and when the market tanks, buy like crazy!

It all depends how much of your own funds you have available and whether you would be willing to partner up with others.