I’m primarily interested in flipping houses and/or buy/hold rental properties so I can eventually not have to work a 9-5 job and can spend more time with the kids and wife. 

Anyway, I could spend more time at work and it would increase my income.

I'm not sure if this is even possible, or if it would be a better idea to rent an apartment for the first year to get settled into the area and spend time looking for deals during that first year.

So read books on the topic, go to networking events where you can meet HML's and private lenders, reach out to friends and family, get a HELOC on your primary if you have one, get a loan from either your 401k (if you work) or from your life insurance (if you have one.)

Spend money on a Home inspection.

Generally private money. 

You have to spend $$ to maintain your license and you spent time, $, and effort to earn your license.

Why would you spend $90K (Purchase and Rehab) for a property valued at $60K?  

There are companies pounding my inbox that I should build out my brand, spend a bunch of money on videos, photos, design, Google marketing, affiliate sales, etc.... for a higher return and control of my own destiny. 

You don't need to be connected to borrow private money, you just need to know where to look.