To avoid going through the same poor experience, keep reading.Even if someone gives you a referral here, do NOT make the mistake of assuming that the PMC will meet your expectations, just because they met the expectations of the referral source.In our experience, the #1 mistake owners make when selecting a Property Management Company (PMC) is ASSUMING instead of CONFIRMING.It's often a case of not doing enough research, as they don't know what they don't know!

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My thought is to help him out by going in 50-50 partnership for many reasons: half down payment, half capex expense, strong co-signer on loan, me being local to investment property to take care of little things that need attentions (he will be out of state for his job/I will have PM), etc.  1. 

How would I go about this? 

When you have a good cash on cash from day one, it means that appreciation won't be that great.There are many other factors to look at as the neighborhood and the age of the property those are going to give you a better undertanding on future growth

"The more that you read, the more things you will know , the more that you learn , The more places you'll go"- Dr Seuss, I can read with my eyes shut! 

All this is stuff other wholesalers and off market companies invest in to find deals (like me).WORK ETHIC: be honest with yourself...how willing are you to go down this road?

@William Weston I assume you're going to stick to Indy? 

if NJ is too expensive, go an hour or two out. 

Just left my W-2 to go full time Real estate but I'll tell you what...it ain't passive!