I'm curious how other people approach this to let others know, "I'm the local guy who wants to reinvest into our shared community." 

You can focus on generating more leads for your acquisition guy to close.

But I had a guy back in 2010 or 11 ask a question about selling a house at a loss of about 40k or keeping it even though the rental income was barely breaking even if not losing a couple hundred per month. 

The guy is now 44, the last conviction (assuming it is the same guy) was almost 20 years ago. 

Thank you for the input, please guys I am not whole selling anything. just bringing buyers and help them with the deal, I am underwriting the deal making sure numbers work for them, advising potential problems, provide market inputs, giving advise if forming syndication, negotiating deals via subject to when needed so I am not acting as a regular real state agent who does not do any of this. 

Anything you guys have found that fits that bill?

Quote from @Guy Gimenez: Follow UHaul data.

I have not invested but James is a friend and a great guy.

I recently listened to a podcast and a story of a guy who had success with this in only 2 years.

One guy even got argumentative because we went into their bathroom (and obvi found wipes).