One thing I learned as a rookie starting off was to work with a good agent who understood what my goals were, especially since I was new at that time.

I made sure they truly understood the risk and I share with them the story of a property we managed that got completely gutted twice in a month and ended up with a chopped up car in the backyard.

So, there are the calculations as I've understood them from reading,etc.

However, these motivations need to be understood as there are so many out there that offer seller financing, get a down payment and design the deal to fail to take it back and do it again.

But then I understood this going in, and just hoped real estate backed crowdfunding would be a safer alternative to some of the other opportunities out there. 

You'll be recognized in that community.As a lender, I recognized such signs and had an idea of the business activity level of that company, I understood the price range of a property before work and could later see the new pricing if it was listed indicating the quality of work.If someone came in with a contract from a company I recognized, often there were no questions about that contractor.

There is an idea of what a DIL is in the general public for both investor and non-investor, the idea is understood basically and generally.

I bought it super cheap and understood it would be for cash flow purposes only, that is, that it would be difficult to refinance or grab the equity.

Understood.

@Tiffany Noble - If I understood correctly, you were in the military.