Sounds like a term car dealers use when you trade in your existing payment for a new one.  

If you start with class D the most likely outcome is that you will learn a lot in a short time and then either trade into better neighborhoods or just get out of REI all together.

Its a trade-off.

Developers can also do their own projects, and sub out all the different trades, etc. 

more than likely you will need to speak to the land groups of home builders or the land and development groups of multifamily buying groups and most are going to be publicly traded. make sure you have enough housing units. if you provide more info I can help out. there's a million different niches in development and more than likely less than 10 buyers for what you are talking about in any niche. we just reached out to Greystar for apartment development site we are putting together that is a vertical development. we called their office for the midwest and messaged every single person on their team on linkedin. put the effort in and you'll get results. 

They are offered trade school or state college debt-free. 

Now there is a hybrid you do the rentals but your also flipping homes  building homes Trading paper and or making commission as an agent or wholesaling type activities this gets you self employed and you can bring in the cash flow you need to live so all your rental income just pays down debt or you use to buy more doors.. 

Once you find one good contractor they typically know other "rock stars" in other trades (electric, plumbing, etc...) that you will also need.

Home inspector, property manager (some states require various licensing), admin at a realtor office, contractor / trade apprentice, landscaper, home painter, lender, wholesaler, or co host / arbitrage STRWorking at a Lowe's or Home Depot would be good too.

I encourage all others who have been swindled or have had similar experiences to share them too and to submit complaints to the Better Business Bureau, Department of Consumer Affairs, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, State Board of Accountancy, Federal Trade Commission, Police Department’s Financial Crime Unit, and the District Attorney.For the potential franchisee owners who are considering this as a business, I would run the other way!