I will be taking a little pause (about 3 months off) around Christmas or New Years for the birth of my first child and for some stuff I need to do professionally, but I plan on getting back at it next summer and having those 2 units completely up and running by the beginning of May 2018.  

I am open to both private and hard money lenders.  

Not to mention you also have much more flexibility with the tax code.Other options would be to buy better cash-flowing rentals (tough in this market), qualify your spouse as a real estate professional, or sell the property.

I haven't done any crowdfunding ( though I would be interested to see how it works for you).There are other ways to raise money though.....Loans,Partnerships, private money, hard money, etc.If I were you (and this is just my advice so take it or leave it) I would find a partner with money, offer to do the sweat equity.....put together the deal, maintain the property, manage the books, etc and let him just give you the money.Hope this helps....keep us updated!

I have money, currently invested in the stock market, that I would like to use as a private money lender with experienced RE investors.

I've been a full time professional Realtor, specializing in investment property since 1989. 

Please forgive me as I am new to the concept of private/hard money lending.

That aside, if I were, then I'd likely either go out of state as a lender which is more passive or as a partner in a private placement (syndications, etc.) whereby if the general partner makes more money it means that I'm making more money too ...

I manage hedge funds and private investors in the Memphis area.

Can the certificate be resold (privately among investors ) ?