Steps 2 & 3 would be the main contributions of a Civil Engineer who is involved. 

@Lucas SchlundI agree with @Ty Coutts that it depends on your risk tolerance and financial stability. 

All of those can be seen in the thread linked below.Who is Bob Stevens AKA Bob Prisco and what's his involvement in Cleveland?

This can lead to more opportunities and partnerships.Market Understanding: As a property manager, you'll gain a deeper understanding of the local market, which can be invaluable when you start acquiring your own properties.Steady Income Stream: Property management can provide a consistent income, which can be particularly beneficial in the early stages of your real estate venture.Skill Development: You'll develop a range of skills from customer service to maintenance oversight, which are crucial for successful property ownership.Brand Recognition: Establishing a presence as a reliable property management company can boost your reputation, making it easier to attract tenants and investors when you start acquiring properties.Cons:Time Commitment: Property management can be time-consuming, especially if you're dealing with multiple properties or demanding clients.Regulatory Compliance: Staying compliant with local laws and regulations requires diligence and can be complex.Conflict Resolution: Dealing with tenant issues and conflicts is an inevitable part of property management and can sometimes be challenging.Financial Risk: There are financial risks involved, including late payments or damage to properties.Market Fluctuations: The property market can be unpredictable, affecting both rental income and property values.Overall, starting with a property management company can be a smart way to enter the real estate space, especially in an area with a clear need for such services.

Lost rent from vacancy could easily be several thousand...so, by time you add it all up, it's easily possible for a sewer line replacement to end up costing $40k+ if it involves those types of ancillary expenses.To me, spending a few hundred bucks on a scope to prevent a $40k+ capex on a property worth over half a million is one of the easiest choices I make in the world of REI!

Thus, I am interested in suburban space near major cities, not the downtown inventory that is trading for pennies on the dollar, but often involve massive office complexes that will have huge holding costs until they get leased up. 

I do have a CPA who is knowledgeable and involved here.

A couple other names not confirmed I’m still connecting the dots BUT are affiliated or at minimum names on many of these confirmed fraudulent documents but unclear their actual involvement.

A family member contacted me directly, so my agent hasn't been involved at all with this deal so far.In that case, the only reason that you would pay him the 3 percent is you wanted the assistance with the whole process from negotiation, home inspection, negotiating any repairs, mortgage and closing and title referrals.

Who is Bob Stevens AKA Bob Prisco and what's his involvement in Cleveland?