No matter what you do, buying a property with a value add component, having ample cash reserves, having good financing and having immediate cash flow will help minimize your risk.Here is an article I put together on what to look for when passive investing: https://www.biggerpockets.com/member-blogs/10145/83067-limited-partner-s-guide-to-investing-in-the-right-deal

Understanding debt component is vital to deal-making as it will provide you with the confidence in your financing to give the seller assurance you can close the deal. 

I would hope that a competent general inspector would at least know enough about each component of the house, that they could refer you to a specialist (roof, foundation, etc) if they deemed it necessary.Where I'd supplement the generalist with the specialist is when the former said they were genuinely unsure about the condition of a specific component which required a specialist's knowledge to assess. 

Look at major components like the roof, foundation, HVAC, electrical, plumbing, water heater, water and sewer connections, etc. 

Because both components are wood, it would make for a really nice transition for the stairs to the floor instead of having to come up with something else for the transition (for instance that parquet ought to have had a metal or wood trim strip to hide the seam between the parquet and bullnose).

Before leaving they unfortunately stole my refrigerator, concrete patio set, fire extinguishers, extra materials for home, and any closet component they could get their hands on.

I'm thinking there could be similar situations with other home components.

Therefore if/when the market declines, we are still making returns through cash flow, and still forcing appreciation through value-add components.

Also, one of the most often overlooked components of a syndication is the reporting.

The surge also damaged a component in the furnace.The landlord when asked to replace the damaged items, said to call Oncor that Oncor would pay.Tenant called Oncor, spoke to the District Manager.