one thing is your lending your money way under what private money should charge. unless your just doing your friends a favor..

Was that purchase money, rate and term refi, or cash out refi?

In those days it was possible to locate and tie up a “killer” deal, and close the transaction with absolutely zero of the investors own money.

Notes are all about velocity of money - faster the money comes in the more valuable the note.

If you are 100% occupied (and trending) no need to spend money.

They are worth the money for a good hot tub that is mentioned all the time in reviews and doesn't have a ton of issues.

This is the scenario:I buy a fixer with some hard-money.

I envision this portfolio supporting me during my retirement years—though I still plan to work, just in a different capacity than I do today.I recently finished reading "How to Invest in Real Estate: The Ultimate Beginner's Guide" by Josh Dorkin and Brandon Turner, which has been incredibly helpful.

More importantly why don’t you send money to TripAdvisor, Fairbnb, or booking.com?  

Their ability to recover their money should you default is much lower in this position.