Take a bit of that money and invest in learning - go to meetups and the many events that take place related to investing in the city - some for free and some paid.

Take a look at BP's blog where new articles are published every day: https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog4.

There are multiple strategies to take advantage of opportunities during an expansion.  

I am trying to assess whether I should take it solo , leave it or scout an experienced partner.

Hey Nathan - this is the million dollar question.I would take a look at all of the MLS data sites (zillow, redfin ect), fb groups / marketplace, craigslist, and other marketplaces where FSBO properties are listed.

I am an accidental builder IE lent to builders who went busto and had to take over the projects. that was in 2013 muddled my way through the first 4 projects that I had to take over .. then felt WTF I am putting up all the money basically and taking the lions share of the risk why dont I just try to do it all..

That is tight leverage for an investment 2nd position loan.A private investor might be willing to do it, it's not going to be cheap at all & will be short-term money & will not be a line of credit to take out at your liking.What is your rate on the 1st?

We are currently working with our lawyers to take next steps and get our money back along with damages due to wasted time and investments we missed out on along with other people who they have done this too.

Take it, leave it. but don't think that just because I offer SEO services does this imply I will manipulate my responses to sell SEO.

thanks for your time and help rent to retirement works directly with build to rent developers like us around the country once they are framed up. you are buying properties pretty much at market value but with a hand holding. you can work directly with a builder or directly with them. they are just an intermediary. they take 5% on what we make as a builder but have a large list of investors and a systemized approach to selling new builds. if you want to get a better deal I'd recommend directly contacting builders and building it yourself. fly to the market. spend 2 days, tour new builds, get a feeling for how it's going. if your builder isn't building multiple at a time then I wouldn't recommend working with them. rent to retirement is a well oiled and well run machine. they've had their ups and downs with dozens of transactions in florida but modified their process. they are well known and established and transparent. if you have a more specific market and feel confident in your ability to vet deals try it out. happy to talk more my info is in my signature. we work directly with them to sell new builds and no organization is perfect but I have good things to say about them as a builder and potential build to rent developer that sells build to rent triplexes and single family homes through them to end buyers in California like the Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego