Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?

I also recommend you start looking for a professional property manager, at least until you educate yourself enough to run this solo.

I’m a full-time sales professional at a global GSI, so I’m seeking relatively efficient strategies.Has anyone successfully used cash-out refinances, 1031 exchanges, or other equity-based approaches to boost income?

I avoid investing in rough neighborhoods because I am a professional.

I know some solid professionals in this area if you need some referrals. 

One golden rule I follow,if it takes a long time to fix/replace when it breaks, don't buy a cheap one.Imagine, this thing breaks in the middle of your peak season and the people who can come out to rebuild are 2 weeks out....It takes at least a day or two to build something like this even if you are super skilled.

I have 2 options:- finance the construction pre-selling the apt, and take my profits (expected to be around 700K pre-tax); or- finance the construction with a 6-7%/year loan (collateral = my house), keep the 10 units, and once the building is completed in 24 months, rent them for circa 180K/ year gross.

Such actions are wholly unacceptable and should not be tolerated within any professional environment.The discrepancies between the program's marketing claims and the actual conduct of its top students, as exemplified by Kristin Witherspoon, are deeply troubling.

Petersburg area, resulting in highly–profitable investments.If you need professional and courteous property management experts for your multifamily, single family, condominiums or town home, you've found the right company!

Even when talking with some real estate professionals who would seem to have an incentive to help me with renting out my property, I have been met with serious warnings (they pretty much say don't do it).