One User Emily G said she was a private lender to these guys and they defaulted. 

A private lender and I are going 50/50 on a down payment, I have cash & my private money partner is using HELOC funds and I am wondering how we can legally go about using our cash ASAP without a 2 month seasoning of funds.

@Jhanel Wilson Is that for conforming/conventional loans or private/portfolio loans?

With Interior Trim, you can see your work take shape and I loved that.Now for the meat and potatoes, I'm at a loss as to where to start... do I get my REL in Illinois even if I don't plan on making it our permanent home, start trying to find deals to fix & flip, where to get money (hard money or private lending, HELOC)? 

You can get really good at finding deals and then take on equity partners of private lenders for them.

(retired @ 49) wife has been in private practice for 38 yrs going to retire end of 2018.We have a large portfolio that we began 40 years ago during the 18% Int Rates.

These are great people to involve as financial partners or private lenders.

If you are just doing open house tours, you don't need to shell out a ton of money for an inspector to follow you around. 

The home is also very private with 6 wooded acres wrapping around the 4 cleared acre it is located in.

More and more private equity firms are buying thousands of SFHs...American Homes 4 Rent, Blackstone Group, Colony NorthStar, and now Cerberus.