Also, consider talking to a tax advisor who specializes in real estate to find strategies tailored to your situation.

My goals are not too crazy, but I do want to establish a portfolio that is significant to my family over the next ten years. 

Establishing direct contact with the sponsor is crucial for obtaining detailed and specific information.

Maybe chat with a financial advisor and have them help you set up an IRA and throw 25k directly into that on a high/medium/low-risk level and watch that slowly grow as a slush fund for further investments. 

Everybody I have called said no except for one company that only does portfolios with established customers

My concern was small single person businesses are subject to robberies which occurred frequently in the area in the early 1980's.The building was built in 1890 and NYC established building codes in the 1920's, and someone owned it all the while passed and my dad offered to purchase it but was beaten to it by a flipper who got it for $23K, and he bought it from the flipper for $25K.

Partner Driven financed this deal using our established capital reserves, allowing us to close quickly and efficiently.

@James McGovernwell, they aren't used to dealing with investors, and probably want you to establish that you're a credible buyer.we don't run into pocket listings much anymore

Because we know what were doing, no guess work involved, and we have those established connections for how to best connect with such buyers. network, network, network, right. 

I'm not a tax advisor or CPA so LOL I can't comment on if you need to or not.