@Peter Filardo I'd consider joining TREIA and attending Triangle Deal Maker Sessions (check on MeetUp).

This is a great network of folks and I'm looking forward to engaging in the forums and ultimately meeting some of you if there are any in-person networking opportunities forthcoming in the D.C. metro area. 

THAT is probably why your attorney told you not to engage any further, but the attorney should have told you why.

I attended a session on the latter with my local REIA (SJREIA) last night, so am feeling a little better about it.

Now in terms of the returns, when someone is actively engaged in real estate (eg., as a landlord or a flipper or anything else) their returns over time are higher versus being passive (e.g., through a syndication).

This results in paperwork, processing delays and per-transaction fees that can add up if you are engaging in more time-sensitive assets or assets that involve a lot of transactions.

The complexity arises when you are (A) managing other people's money and/or (B) engaging in larger assets with more moving parts. 

I find it better to engage with investors 1:1 or in small groups.

I made a cash for keys offer to incentivize them to move out, but they are refusing to engage with me.

@Karsten GeibObviously, it's tough to tell how good an agent is before engaging them to represent you.