After a while you’ll develop a knack for figuring out who really knows what they are talking about and who is just full of it.Company Websites.

 @Jaycee Greene definitely some questions I will ask my self thank you !

I had grown very close to him and had developed a great deal of trust for this person.

Turns out the developer didn't fix some underground pipe and it took years and lots of $$ for lawyer's fees to get things fixed. 

There is a mortgage so that also adds to the amount desired, though my inexperienced self still feels it would sell for a pretty penny once fixed up.

Plan is to develop and sell the homes.

Hopefully, based on actual field measurements, past project data, and estimating software, your contractor can develop a detailed estimate that lays out the cost of labor and all materials for each phase of the project.

I concur with @John Underwood the right property with right management (right self-management) will do fine. 

Yeah for sure, I meant to say that buying in the U.S. you might be able to self manage if you want but international you probably don't have the option but I didn't express that super well.

The alternative is to set up a self-directed IRA, or better, a truly self-directed Solo 401k plan, invest in alternative assets, and then do the conversion.