In this case, several individuals participate in one first position loan and share ownership based pro-rata on the amount they contribute.Last, simplest, and completely illegal if you do it incorrectly, is to form an LLC and have your investors make capital contributions.

Thank you to everyone thats contributed, since I can't post the agreement as an attachment, I'll be going to a contract lawyer. 

Yes, you can partner or use private money to get a deal done (which is actually what I plan to do) but you will likely still have to contribute some money to the deal.Knowledge: You said you are listening to podcasts which is a great start!

Some for sure will be willing to share and teach.Try also getting into relevant local FB groups, and check there who is active and open for sharing, and start byilding a relationship.Don't forget that you do have something to offer: you have the will to success and work hard for it, and you are there to learn, do things together, and sooner than you think you will be contributing to the relationship also by alleviating the work load (probably in the parts that your gude will less enjoy :-) )The most important thing to my opinion, is being mentored by a (payed) mentor that specializes in entrepreneurship or businesses.

It's hard to get both in a meaningful way.

Simply tell the neighbor you did not receive legal notice from him/her and that the fence was in fine condition prior so you will not contribute any money towards it.

Zip codes are too geographically large to be meaningful and all of those zip codes you mentioned cover about half of the city.

Zip codes are far too geographically large to be meaningful.

Whatever you contribute as rent will not affect your net income/expense... 

Are they technically guests or tenants (as seems they may have contributed with some mortgage payments)... should I hired a lawyer even before closing?