Here's how I do my due diligence:1) Portfolio matching: (takes 30 seconds per deal)a) Have an educated opinion on where I think we are in the real estate cycles (financial and physical market cycles)b) Then and only then do I pick the strategies, capital stack, and specialized asset subclasses that make sense for that opinion.

If it crashes hard enough, it impacts your personal finances, your relationships, and even your mental/physical health.With the exceptions of politicians and so-called charities, building wealth typically requires sacrifice and time.

I love the story of your artist friend, honestly it never came to mind to incorporate the two together for a marketing hook!

If you can find a precedent, that could bolster your argument significantly.Lean on the Physical Details: Four mailboxes, four sewer lines-those are big indicators that the property has been treated as a four-unit for some time.

You must keep the tenants security deposit at a bank that physically operates a branch office in the State of NC.  

Influence or control can lead to a beneficial owner even if you own little equity.Also it is 20 FT EEs AND $5M Revenue AND a physical office.

In the past when I am looking for a property manager I google to find all managers with physical offices in close proximity to my properties to narrow my search and ignore all sponsored adds that fake that they are local.Since you have self managed, you will be better equipped to "manage the manager".

Physically verify everything.

I am not a debt investor, a bond investor nor am I an investor in corporate debt, private equity debt, peer to peer lending, etc.  

I look for liens that will be removed or that may stay, ownership history, platting, zoning, exit strategies, cost & profit analyses, and above all else; I physically look over the property.