Traditional bank loans can be slow and have strict requirements, while hard money and private lending seem to offer more flexibility.For those who’ve secured funding before, what’s been your experience?

I borrowed $30k on a personal loan from Discover for 15% with no fees for a plot of land and paid "cash" for it.

I recommend that you find a trusted or recommended Mortgage Loan Originator (MLO), who can give you options for property-based loans (mostly investment loans) and they don't use your taxes but the P&L of the property.

A better option if you can swing it is to purchase with your own funds, gain access, then refi into a loan.

Raising money is all about marketing and sales (not real estate specific) so either hire marketing agency and read sales books, or hop on some LinkedIn courses on marketing and sales.Not sure the legal structure to use: talk to accountants and attorneys.Need deal flow: talk to brokers and go to a lot of networking events.Lending terms: start calling banks and loan brokers.From there, it is all risk mitigation. 

I then found 3 properties from wholesalers in areas that I invest in regularly and purchased the properties with a hard money loan.

Financing might be a challenge.I would recommend consulting with a attorney, loan officer, and CPA to discuss your specific situation and determine the best course of action. 

@Kwanza P.Leveraged means using a loan (leverage) to buy the asset. 

Hey @Brandon LaRose, do you have the ability to use a Margin Loan against a taxable portfolio, or a policy loan against a permanent life policy?

There is so much that goes into a successful STR beyond the very basics.Now, projections can help for people using a DSCR loan.