If I can solve this first puzzle, the future projects become so much simpler!

There's always a way to get a good deal done, but being that I'm just starting out with very little capital or experience of my own, my options are limited and this puzzle is more complicated.

Top 9 pieces of the Real Estate puzzle are:1-Potential for helping others.2-Use leverage to keep cash in your pocket for the unknown.3-Ability to raise capital is unlimited.4-Focus on the controllables and invest smart.5-Long distance investing is over-hyped.6-Requires more cash than you think.7-Get started ASAP.8-Pareto Principle-80% of effects come from 20% of the causes. 9-Don't worry about all the nay sayers: market crash, etc.Thank you to all who participated in our unofficial survey!

But then the CPA should say something like: usually yes (or no), except in some special cases.Remember that technical competence is only one piece of the puzzle when choosing any expert.

What really has me puzzled is that you stated there is no HOA.

I think the missing piece of your puzzle is a superstar broker/agent.

It's one piece of a puzzle regarding what people should look for. 

The most critical piece of the puzzle to have reliable "boots on the ground".

As you know, each project is like a puzzle and finding a loan that will put that puzzle together and help bring your vision to completion will help you scale.

I had a rough situation with a PM in San Antonio involving an eviction, so screening for a good PM is a key piece of the puzzle to be a landlord.