Once you have this team in place, you should be able to invest in any market confidently.As for picking a specific market - I would go after one with an increasing job and population growth.

Since you're planning to buy your first multifamily unit, I suggest looking into markets that have great macroeconomics with growing population and jobs just like Columbus OH.

The plan for each house that we work on together is that at the end of each project, we split the money three ways. 1/3 toward the designer/real estate professional, 1/3 toward the private money lender, and 1/3 for myself.  

Once you have that you can go to any bank and open a bank account in the name of ABC Management.Your plan is exactly what I did when starting as I too was looking to avoid an LLC right off the bat.

Are there any specific courses, resources, or meet ups that have been helpful to you?

I am planning to use Longhorn Investments hard money loan to fund the project.

I plan to start off house hacking small multifamily properties and transition into BRRRRing properties.

However, we do plan to pull out the equity in the near future.

I do not plan on paying for the service that she signed up for but also not clearly sure how I can help.

If you have no immediate plans to move into it, I'd rent it.