Looking forward to making a mutually beneficial deal happen! 

Or are these duplexes in really bad shape and you're bringing in your own rehab funds?

I am trying to secure funds for my first flip. 

I'd love to meet up with people in the area to network and explore mutual interests. 

You can balance the two ideas as they aren't mutually exclusive.

I am still undecided on which route for funding to go, but I guess that depends on the right deal!

Banks and hedge funds have their processes and you just have to wait until they get around to getting that property renovated and listed.

So I have an accepted offer on and 8 unit apartment building and now I need to provide funding of course.

But then again, since I will now be using some funds from my cousin, I want to be sure that there are no additional criteria or restrictions that I have to consider when structuring everything before moving forward with the plan to avoid penalties. 

If you cash-out refinance, your interest rate would drop to the low 5% range, allow you to have more cash flow, and funds to purchase your next investment property.