Thanks Drew, will do - though without direct experience, I'm hoping the skills I have gained in the finance industry along with having gone through the process to obtain a real estate license will be considered. 

Also, my current "room mate" has expressed her interest in renting my primary residence entirely so I think that's a smart option. 

Could also be worth it to contact a couple of landlords via Airbnb or rental websites directly by being a "guest"

The developer and buyer negotiate directly but don’t reach an agreement.  

This is AWESOME insight that has helped me move in the right direction.

Here are the questions I currently have - 1.)

@Jason EspositoThank you so much for directing me into the right direction when it comes to understanding private lenders. 

Currently, the houses in that area are renting, but they take longer to rent. 

I can direct message you a couple and their contact info.

You have to include concessions, DOM and changing interest rates, the direction the house points, trees and so on.In most markets, the houses are not identical one to another anyway.