I work in comp so I have no issues building my own but I'd prefer to simply use one that's already created.Finally, aside from reviewing prior projects on the company's website and scouring the internet for reviews, does anyone have any tips on how to select a given company?

What is driving the Florida market is simply it is too unaffordable for someone to buy a home here.I am based in Bradenton, FL (Manatee County).

They are simply writing checks with, as noted above, no real recourse in the property.Third, and back to control, if you are in a pref equity position on a value-add property, you are not second position.  

I suspect this is due to either a better sales group, or the risk was simply adjust higher on the ones I went in. 

No, right, it wouldn't be, because your not LOOSING anything your simply not profiting at rate expected. 

Simply put, get a real estate license. 

Going into a war zone simply for cash flow is not worth it in any case.

Was it simply experience, or were there particular resources that were helpful to you? 

We're most likely looking at multi-family (initially) in lower cost of living regions simply to make it affordable for us to get into the game. 

Very simply, multifamily spreads out your risk if a tenant moves out generates more income with more units and disproportionate amount of increase in expenses as there are more tenants to deal with.