You have a lot of high level questions here, so I have high level replies:DSCR loans: Pros- they don't follow the rules for conventional loans, so your personal financial situation is irrelevant.

You could totally do it yourself but I want to be involved because, ya know, money. 

I agree with this statement and you're second-next step needs to be getting qualified/finding money and walking properties.

@Shiwei QuPeople are making money in every market.

You could take them to small claims court, but even if you win, you're unlikely to see the money and will have spent a lot of time dealing with it. 

Does anyone have personal experience with either of these?

Myself being a small fish in the pond, I personally can't invest under such conditions. 

I suspect a more creative person than me could expand this list.  

I've found there are cheap all-wood flat pack cabs that are much better for similar money.

As the title suggests, has anyone ever had luck in tapping into a network of potential investors/friends & family money for their first investment property?