You could choose the absolute best market in America with the best upside, best deals, best location but if you have weak team members such as a broker, contractor, lender, and property manager your investment will surely experience hardships.

Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

I am a local investor here in Newberg and am also a lender who works with investor. 

I'm aware that K1's are usually accepted and viewed as ordinary income with 2-years returns, however I'm struggling to find a lender that can decipher the difference between a private investment that issues a K1 and a publicly traded stock such as Enterprise Products, Williams, or Energy Transfer Partners. 

Most Canadian clients we work with use TD bank because they offer US mortgages for Canadian investors. 

I am working on closing my first mortgage on a property in South Florida.

I want to know if anyone could help me with advice on private lenders?

Not a lot of foreclosure activity because of all the equity gains, but that may change in the coming years with the loans on the mortgages written in the last 1-2 years being much higher (aka normal compared to pre-COVID).

Both of my parents have helped with some projects when it comes to labor but financially is myself and the lender that has been amazing through the purchase of both properties. 

However, my focus is on long-term rentals, creative real estate (like buying sub2 and with owner finance) and buying mortgage notes.