The receipt also likely needs to be provided to the tenant within 30 days of their lease ending.

As a last resort, I would even be willing to lease the land, provided that I be compensated for the improvements when it sells.TIA

They’ll believe you had an obligation to obtain the higher, resell price for them as per a licensee.  

Insights, networking possibilities, and mentorship may be obtained from this practical experience.Remain Proactive: It takes time and effort to build a network, so be proactive and persistent in your networking endeavors.

Bookkeepers are fairly inexpensive for the value they provide.

They were not able to provide references due to client confidentiality.  

Would this hurt my ability to obtain a mortgage? 

The whole appeal in REI was to maybe create a small business on the side with my spouse as a way to: eventually secure supplemental income, start building equity in RE and maybe creating a small business together in RE that would help us obtain financial freedom after hearing how risky things can be, I’m trying to learn: what are other RE investors doing to make money despite the risks around home repairs, vacancy, additional expenses (i.e property managers), etc.

Here are some considerations:Pros of Using a Hard Money Lender:Speed: Compared to standard lenders, hard money lenders can provide quicker approval and financing processes, which lets you take advantage of time-sensitive possibilities.Flexibility: It may be simpler to obtain financing if HMLs are more accommodating when it comes to credit history and property condition standards.Access to Funds: You may take advantage of more investment opportunities by having quicker access to the equity in your property.Experience: For first-time investors in particular, certain hard money lenders offer invaluable experience and advice that can be helpful in navigating the fix and flip process.Cons of Using a Hard Money Lender:Greater Costs: Hard money loans might have interest rates and other costs that are greater than those associated with standard financing sources, which raises the project's total cost.Term Length: HMLs normally provide loan durations that are shorter, usually lasting between six months and a few years.

You may seek advice from lenders and brokers on finding a suitable mentor, most will be able to provide one for you.