If you are new I’d spend the next 2-3 years saving money building up credit and learning via reading and podcasts to figure out what you want to do in real estate, flips, buy and holds, buy notes, private money lending, or anything else because there’s dozens of ways to be in REI. 

I even got the yes from a private money lender to front me the down payment being that I qualify for a FHA Loan.

Most owners aren't going to let you tour the property, talk to the tenants or look at the financial data until you've got a deal started.

I would be happy to have a private lender to loan me at 8% annual. 

Along the way, others have opened my eyes to also storage, mobile park, NNN, and private equity real estate funds. 

Has to go cash or private at that point.

I have 3 properties with loans in my name and 6 properties with commercial and private loans in an LLC.

I have connections with businessmen from NYC “whom are always looking to invest” (private money lenders).

@Jared Gore - If you put your own money into the deal or private lender money into the deal you should always have a plan (prior to purchase) to get that money back out. 

I feel like I have sufficient funds @100k and a network of private money lenders ready but since nothing can cash flow around these areas, is the only strategy flipping?