We have SIX MONTHS of reserve cash, great credit, and are now both employed.

My tip: critically maintaining momentum is fine, but not forgetting: bargain-buying only!...

I prefer to help my tenants build their credit and buy the homes they live in after three to five years.

Thanks for the tip on USAA.

I have created an account, and when I put in my credit card info, it did not pass.

Its a sellers market.A great tip is call your local real estate agent, but don't tell them if you are buying or selling.....Listen to what they say and you will be able to determine what your market is.  

Residential Lending Hard MoneyNationwide private money lender for home flippers and other real estate investorsBarnett Capital provides lines of credit for acquiring, renovating, and stabilizing single-family, multi-family, and mixed-use investment properties nationwide and in Canada.

.- Also, do loans with private lenders appear on my credit report?

Talk to a tax adviser about moving that money from your old company's 401(k) to a rollover IRA or other retirement account before you make this move.If you have equity in your home, you may want to consider getting a HELOC from a local bank/credit union.  

I see all of these ads for hard money lending but I don't want to apply for anything and take a hit on my credit score which I have been dutifully rebuilding after a divorce a few years back.