They really don't have the power or right to place any kind of lien on the property while they simply have it under contract and aren't doing any improvement to the property. 

Root cause is lack of confidence and/or fear of losing money.  

The biggest issue I observe amongst real estate investors is the inability to articulate the reasons why they should transfer properties or simply own properties from day 1 in an LLC.

Simply letting your mother live in the property rent free would make it personal property. 

It's an unwelcome encroachment caused by a neighbors' lack of maintenance or poor tree placement, but I'm the one that has to hire someone (at massive cost and difficult access) to cut deadly branches that are 100' up? 

You are simply NOT operating correctly.

I don't think I fully understand using HELOC to pay points and holding costs only.Taz, that was my initial thought as well - even though it would hurt to get rid of a 3.5% interest rate, I could get an equivalently priced home with today's conventional primary residence rates and have about the same monthly payments that I have today, simply because of the HOA fees. 

If you stick with one method, as soon as the market changes, you will have a severe lack of inventory.

So, it sounds like there is a lack of clarity about the renewal which may not apply but keep this in mind with all other aspects of leasing and any verbiage you add to a lease. 5.

If not, do you materially participate in the syndication or are you simply a limited partner?