The opioid crisis has hit this country hard, and I suspect that is part of what is happening here as previously solid tenants flaked out, and another left due to violent crime.

If you want to befriend them you have to become one of them. drink red bulls, rent a big screen from Arron's, buy a new glass pipe from the corner store and suck hard. 

I want to use the money from these two properties to create income and wealth to become financially free but am having a hard time getting started on the right path.

I have some cash I want to invest so we talked about how I could potentially be his lender for a flip.I've been researching what typical hard money lending terms are so that I would have a better idea of what to ask/expect from our arrangement.I have 3 questions about this:1.

Lenders will have a hard time lending you money if you're not close. 

I would love to meet some private and / or hard money lenders in the Lake Norman, NC area.

BUT when you are just getting starting, it may be hard to get only listings or any substantial amount of listings until you get a solid referral base.

Best bet is to just use hard money unless you can stay put for 6 months.

How are you finding a Hard Money Lender that fits your investment strategy?

Or would I need a private or hard money loan, out of which I could refinance for better terms?