Yes there is for lending purposes.

They are affiliated with my lending institution so I am not charged a fee and don't have to share account information with my tenant.  

you could lend it to them and hold a lien on the property.

Smile and dial - start with CAI (Community Associations Institute).

That way you both gain experience in the business, learn creative ways to find lending, the pitfalls of REI (not like you see on the TV shows) and you can possibly have input on the layout of the property, which could be valuable selling point in the future. 

Also in lots of auctions lending is not accepted so you may be out of luck there. 

Should I skip the banks and try a different financial institution? 

Do you target certain types of property on which you prefer to lend?

They hold some of their own paper, and like to lend to local investors. 

What is it that you find favorable about him or his institution?