Begining questions and introduction

[Craig B.]

My name is Craig. Years ago, far too many to be proud of, I had a partner crash a business on me and jump states to leave me with the debt. We managed foreclosed properties and the parts of the job I enjoyed, I really enjoyed, while others aspects (my partner) were less enjoyable. To give you an idea of how bad he was, he wanted to expand during the first year, and hired people behind my back.

I'm looking to start now as an investor. I've read, listened, and watched many sources on the topic but there are a few things that surprise me that have been overlooked in these discussions..

For instance, Lease-Options aren't looked well upon, legally speaking. They have a bad rep from those who abuse it... and the ones who abuse it, REALLY abuse it. It's heart-breaking, really, since I find the technique to be one of the best ways to help those in trouble while being able to still come out of the deal saying you invested. Not just break even.

So I have a few questions for our more senior investors: Who do you see to cover the legal sides of things? I'm asking for referrals, where to turn, not legal advice (which is probably why you don't hear much about this topic, those speaking would become liable).


On a similar, but different topic... I get the impression much of the time that many write up their own documents and keep the deal between them, the buy and seller, and it doesn't see 3rd party hands much of the time. I also hear this is where trouble comes from. Has this ever been someones experience?

Another concern of mine, I hear all the time that you can play match-maker, and basically perform a deal without any out of pocket expense. (this was even discussed at last night's webinar). Yet I also observe "don't spend money you don't have", which would contradict this. Both pieces of advice have actually come from Brandon Turner, so its a source of confusion for me.

I am someone that, ever since the business crashed, banks and loans view me as a plague. I can't get outside help, I don't truly have assets, and certainly not enough capital. I figure, unless I have a deal already lined up and it looks good enough to another investor, how would I be able to start?