I would speak to a cross border accountant in your home country.

Not looking for a formal mentor relationship or anything, just some general resources. 

Probable if you have more than 4-5 people at most and lots of "silent" partners if would be much safer to formally syndicate.If those two factors are in line might make sense to draw the line at a certain purchase price, Unit count or expected NOI.

You can file taxes with your SS#However most businesses set up a more formal business structure.

MattHudson As far as estimating insurance premiums, as long as you will be looking at similar properties (singles, 2000 sq/ft in 12345 zip code), you can have 1 formal quote to use for estimating purposes.If he comes back with a $500 premium for a 2,000 sq/ft house.

I've had success with Choice Title Co, right across the border in Ringgold

You don't need to hire a formal property inspector to find out an issue that makes it no longer an appealing purchase.

This is essentially the step where the bank formally moves that asset from collatoral to actually owning it. 

It's more likely comps, whether a formal CMA from a Realtor or the seller's own informal comps.  

You are correct, if this situation becomes more of a discussion we will have our lawyer involved more formally; laws are always changing and from all the articles we've read, this particular subject can be grey.