Take the money and run? Finders fee or 10% of Mobile Home Park

[Michael Tucker]

Sup BP,

I came across a mobile home park in Eastern, MD and passed it along to my mentor. He wants to partner with a colleague to purchase it and offered me a finders fee of 2 points. I went along with him to check out the property with his partner asking questions and sharing thoughts that I thought were relevant without attempting to say too much. After walking the property, my mentor said that the other partner wanted to offer me a 10% stake of ownership in a minority/non-liable capacity but would add me to the LLC if I chose to, or just pay me the 2 point finders fee. They'll also let me manage the resident manager and likely the rehab of the property as well regardless of ownership stake for roughly 8% of the gross monthly rent - the resident manager fee which is free lot rent).

Question: Should I take the upfront money OR the ownership stake? 

Plan is to flip the property in two years, rehab/replace older units, rehab the duplex on site, and general landscaping. I have interests long term in commercial real estate and being apart of the business would help. I'm just not sure if it outweighs any potential risks of going into business with folks I've never seen operate in that capacity or what I could potentially do with the cash myself. I'd love your inputs/advice on pro/cons and being in the DC/MD/VA area, whats the best thing I could do with the $10k if you advise not to take the ownership stake. (10% ownership payout would be in the $25-30k+ range depending on value at sale).