I also take PM "predictions" with a pinch of salt as they have skin in the game, and would rather encourage you to become their customers than not...

Pinching the pennies is for us investors :)  Good luck with your search,-ChristopherP.S.

He's starting to feel the pinch with no tenant in place, so I told him I would see what I can do to help.What's a good first step I can take to really get the property visible besides the typical posting on Craigslist and similar sites?

BUT you really have to trust the private money lender, as if they don't bring money to closing then you can get into a pinch. 

Don't penny pinch them or treat them as workers. 

Oh, it was a lot of penny-pinching and sweat equity for sure.

This was my first project and I was pinching pennies as I had minimal money left after the purchase of the property.  

The rate will be higher but The nice part of doing that is the deed is free and clear and can be leveraged or sold off if your in a pinch .

Penny pinching on quality will cost you 10x as much in the end. 

When they have made millions to tens of millions the last thing they want to do is be cheap and go with someone inexperienced where they can make a bad mistake.I do commercial and not residential so I can see on the residential side where (Joe homeowner) is trying to pinch pennies and step over dollars thinking they are saving something.