I applaud your effort to try and start investing in RE but I would only use hard money for quick transactions, like flips. 

It takes a lot of time and effort to get a building fully occupied.

I am considering partnering with the right person who has financial resources to compliment my efforts and knowledge to move ahead while the Nashville market is accelerating.

It takes time, effort and money to pursue a judgement, and if you can't collect on it, what's the point.

I have gone through two evictions early in my RE efforts.

Both Indy and ohio are very landlord friendly and we can evict tenants in short time with little money and effort if needed.  

If you decide to go forward, I would specialize in a tight geographic area with a particular state and focus your efforts on being an expert on these counties. 

(According to my business advisor at the Goins group, most of the students fail to find good deals and it takes several Goins Group staff members a full time effort to find homes that qualify their own criteria.) 

These deals are by far the highest risk (especially as a newbie) and involve the most effort but can generate the highest returns.

Lawrenceville is a great up and coming area that is getting a lot of press in it's renovation and revitalization efforts.