I have just a bit of time more before a final decision is made to purchase these properties.

So sometimes for me it is a fine line between the punisher of losing profit on the one hand, and essentially acting immorally on the other (which causes me shame, which is a punisher).

If you have to ask how to keep funds straight, you need to see professionals.Dawn, I'll go look at that DIY mortgage, but I know Al is not a finance guy, things have changed on many fronts, Andy really needs professional assistance IMO.

I chose to down down the "Passive" path originally because I was too busy at work to do anything on the side and almost 13 years later it's still proving to be the right path for me.My suggestion is to consider whether you want to be "Active" or "Passive" and then explore the paths that exist down whichever makes sense for you.And, to answer one of your questions, you do not need to be an Accredited Investor to participate in some syndications (some allow Accredited Investors only while other allow Accredited and Sophisticated Investors).On a final note, I would be happy to help you on the Passive side in terms of questions, etc.

That's a simple way to look at it but not knowing the full totals that will go into the property limits how much we can refine a final value.

The squatter is a 50 year old white guy and think the neighbors will do a fine job of driving him out, especially with their grandmother and family in the house.Thus far I like Tina's idea the best.

I want to get into real estate; a fine business to park and invest my income.

But I should have clarified- it is a fine market to buy in, in terms of the returns on properties there are in fact positive, especially in relation to a lot of cities where you can't get positive returns at all.

He is currently a level III Maintenance Technician at a large property management company and I was an Office Mgr. for a construction company for 4 and a half years (I currently own a fine art photography prints business.) 

I don't want to hire her as an employee, but it seems like a fine line here, especially if we have a written agreement regarding job duties.