I'm a relatively new BP member too and I love your engagement. 

I'm engaged and getting married this June.

If you don’t stay active on the site and engage the community, you likely will not get the full value out of this site.

Continue engaging here on BP and you will meet so many people and learn a lot more along the way.

Engage with other people so using the language of commercial real estate feels & sounds more natural. 

I also believe that if you continue to engage a lot here on bigger pockets you will continue to network and meet people from all over who may eventually want to be a private lender for you. 

You need to invest some time and energy into researching the best books to read on the real estate strategy you intend to use, engage this community as well as your local real estate meet ups, and start building your team and your knowledge of the market in which you would like to invest.

So, this (the hard money) sounds like a scam from any angle.Never pay upfront fees.Always do your basic DD Before engaging (good spot on the website).5%?

Welcome to BP Nation, stay active and engage the community, it is your best avenue to learning the ropes.

I love all the engagement and support from the community.