Some have given us a bad name by charging outrageous fees, making outrageous claims and then providing didily squat information.

The ROI quoted by some companies selling coffee farm parcels in Boquete is totally unrealistic. 

I am not familiar with amending in Turbotax, but one thing to note is on the timeline for filing amends (you have some time still, but also good to be aware): Generally, to claim a refund, you must file an amended return within 3 years after the date you filed your original return or 2 years after the date you paid the tax, whichever is later. 

Most try to do for 3-5 days to max revenues/occupancy limits.In terms of financing, yes plan to do a 20 down non conventional (maybe even DSCR) that will be put in an LLC and no need for quit claim deed, etc.Amit

However when I first I submitted a draw request for single family home the lender rejected the project management fee claiming  it was not included in the approved loans budget. 

However, the seller claims he purchased the property as a two-unit dwelling based on Baltimore City public records, yet it’s not legally permitted as such.

Well, they claim that their leads are better because the leads find them:The only way sellers find you is when you rank #1 or #2 in that market. the lower you rank, the less leads find you. 

He has been doing flips for 30 years and claims to pay a great ROI and get equity in the flip as well.

Any company insuring your properties without an inspection most likely has a clause buried deep in their policy allowing them to deny claims for conditions found on the property that do not meet their UW standards and they will deny you claim based on "the house should have not been insured with them anyway".Although the inspections can be annoying look at it from the other side.You pay them 1000 to 3000 a year to insure a rental property where they agree to pay out possibly hundreds of thousands of dollars if it burns down or up to 1 million if a tenant slips on a bananna peel and falls down the steps or the tenants dog bites someone and since you didn't enforce the tenant having their own renters policy to cover the dog bite the landlord's policy is paying out.The insurance company is very much like your rich uncle backing your business venture - you run the business, he takes on the financial risk from disasters, and doesn't even get a say in who lives in the property.Your rich uncle asking you to fix the steps, put up a handrail, etc which is in your and his best interest long term.Do you really want to rent out a property with a busted front step and a bad roof that is going to leak sooner than later?

These investors often are inexperienced, underfunded, and unrealistic in their expectations.