Private money lenders are sometimes a challenge to find. 

So I guess I'm looking for help to tools to find the first one.

There are definitely a litany of different options to get into when you are first starting down, and I find that the most successful investors we work with are very niched down and know their target properties. 

You can usually find some events by doing a simple google search.

I bought it at a good enough price I knew I could simply turn around and put it back on the market and make a little profit How did you find this deal and how did you negotiate it?

I still have a day job so chasing down different quotes is difficult, but maybe I need to find someone to do that? 

If you can find a deal that is assumable (you take over the seller's interest rate), that would be ideal.

@Robert Rixer, I don't know how creative these are, as many are common plays:Valet TrashFencing in first floor yardsProviding washer and dryers for added rentReserved, Covered parkingTech PackagesInternet and Cable contracts, with reimbursementsPayment Plan rents, with small service charge (i.e. bill 1/4 rent each week)Reserved Rental cabanas at poolPrivate pool party rental optionGolf Simulator in clubhouse - fee basedOn site, self serve car wash (quarter feeder style)Charged group fitness/personal training servicesGame room in clubhouse with monthly subscription for tenants (Xbox, Playstation, etc)Changing out high maintenance grass for astro turf or lower maintenance/lower water use shrubberyBut ultimately, I think a lot of NOI increases come from deep dive into understanding EVERY expense and finding ways to minimize them, and/or no outsource them.Train maintenance team on basic HVAC and appliance repairs (find way to get them licensed as needed)Buy paint sprayers for faster, easier turns versus having to hire a contract painter, and possibly repaint whole unit each timeStandardize all finishes, so you can buy in bulk, everything from hinges and door knobs to cabinets, paint colors, and light fixtures.Potentially get leasing people onto lower base salary with higher bonus potentialBulk/bundled insurance across portfolio (even better at scale is to self insure)Regularly test sprinkler systems for leaks.Non-NOI, but benefit to you: partner with insurance agency to get referral kickbacks from your tenant base for renter insurance.  

You can find HELOCs up to 90-95% equity these days hence if you create equity while you live there, you can suck it out in the form of a primary residence HELOC before moving into your next househack. 

I am finding, for this summer at least, that the weeds grow at an alarming pace.