I'll tell you from experience once you remodel a few properties you gain MASSIVE AMOUNTS OF KNOWLEDGE> and this helps you find/buy/create the next opportunity. 

I have a lot of home renovation experience and along with 2 of my buddies, we have decided to team up and start flipping houses.

Im interested learning what other early wholesaler experiences were like.

My name is Ajay, and I am thrilled to join this network of real estate professionals.

Additionally, does anyone have any good recommendations for hard money lenders im the DC, Maryland, Virginia area that they have experience with?

Hey @Andy Terra, I've been working with https://integriava.com/ for a while and have had a great experience with them.

Dee - As a newer investor, some of the options using "Agency Debt" (aka Fannie and Freddie financing) may not be available to you as they require 2+ years experience in multifamily space.

I'm thinking about house hacking/live-in flip but I want to know what others' experiences have been in renting out multifamily and single family homes in the area.

Have no experience. 

We are here to help each other grow.Get as much knowledge and experience as possible and find a mentor.Join real estate investment clubs.Get in touch with a local agent or investor and shorten your learning curve and save you a lot of headaches as they tend to understand the market better.All the best!