You can always get advice on hard money folks from the REIA  groups, but the mortgage and wealth management folks can make introductions to private investors once you get your feet wet and are ready to move in that direction.  

In order instruct clients on which documents to send, the custodian needs to know the investment structure: Private Equity investment into a company OR secured/unsecured loan to a company.  

Still looking for buyers, sellers and private lenders in the Kansas City area.

Kenneth Cowan private message me if your interested, I know of an awesome 3 unit building that just hit the market.

You could find a private investor and ask him for the 25% to put down.  

The private mortgage holder has also threatened to foreclose on their interest if they don't get their act together and sell the properties.

@Stephen S.Welcome your profession should be the source of all the private money you will need.I work for Dave Lindahl feel free to connect for any questions you have.Two Great reads, I bought both J.

I've been researching some lending from either private or traditional but I can't decide what is a better route.  

My particular area of interest is in rental home properties - what are some good resources for getting more information about this sector of the real estate investing market?

They can by taking title WITH a real buyer, privately and jointly or in a business entity, or by buying using seller  financing, close and then sell paying off the seller financed note.