We ran it past our real estate agent and lender — but I'm all for shoring up.

Once Apartments.com is going the money comes without much thought. i check on the first to see that the transaction has initiated then again on the eighth to see that the money deposited.

When my business partner and I were still flipping we bought a couple through Auction.com and we always used a private money lender to fund those and our other flips. 

My team and I have witnessed an overall softening in the rental real estate market.  

Dennis' dad and I actually tripped over something similar back in Chandler.. we learned to tap into city planning websites and even call the permit offices directly to get a real sense of their backlogs.

Hi @Eric JohnsonAs you bein your real estate investing journey I would suggest that you assemble your team of pros around you (like the avengers) AKA Your Core 41.

Those were really good (Southeastern Wisconsin Real Estate Investor Group on FB if so inclined).  

He must have spent gobs of time and money every year maintaining the books and the structure. 

Get out and meet some other investors at meetups and that will help you curate what some of those ideas would be like in real life, with the input of others who have done it.

I've been in real estate for 18 years, am a licensed Realtor and have owned several rental and flip properties in Texas & Hawaii.