What I'm curious about is are people putting 100% of their "investing" funds toward real estate and forgoing any stock market investing, or splitting it 50/50, or some other percentage? 

.* I am a great listener and I'm willing to be your sounding board for going over deals and other aspects of the business.* My own network of trusted local professionals in the southeast MI area is small but growing and I'm happy to refer them where I can.* When it's nice out, sometimes I ride my motorcycle.

@Devin Haertling Thank you for going further in depth with the deal.

Will the loan cover the costs Of a home that has had an electrical fire,foundation issues and its been vacant for going on 5 years?

So I have 12000 miles that I kept track of for going on trips to the store/to see tenants/ ect for this tax year of 2018.My concern is is that too many miles that could trigger a audit?

@David Waddleton First of all kudos for going on out making it happen.

Have zero experience in investing in Real Estate but have been researching for going on two years and I am looking for someone that would want to help invest with me in the Chattanooga, Tn area to help get me started. 

But I'd also not forgo a 1031 just because I might have to explain it if it was correct.

I have also seen some online sites advertise pre packaged programs where you fill in many of the blanks for around $4500.00, but with legal work cut rate can cost you big in the long run.In actuality, you can rely on the general exemption from registration for private placement, and forgo all of the above ( doing the above is complying with the Reg D ‘safe harbor’, in other words do it right and your safe from the regulatory authorities deciding that your offering is not exempt and that you have committed criminal acts by raising capital without a securities registration ( which costs a minimum of $150,000.00).

No matter who I use or whatever cost strategy, I won't do anything without a "not to exceed" clause and a penalty fee for going over the 3 month mark, but with a bonus for getting it done on time.