Both strategies have risks, but with syndication my feel is that there's much more opportunity to diversify your money and optimize for taxes. 1031s, for example, are possible with syndications if structured properly.

They used the profits to fund their life style.2.

When the economy tanks and the sponsors compensation is drastically reduced, the sponsor makes the decision to maintain there lifestyle at the investor’s expense. 

Make sure you have proper signage up in the parking lot.

Properly sized domestic HVAC systems are designed to maintain a 20 degree difference between the indoor and outdoor air, but even that has limits.With an OAT (Outdoor Air Temp) of 114, the lowest indoor temp one can reasonably expect is 94.One can reasonably expect climate change to have an impact on sizing guidelines going forward.My $0.02 ...

If you are doing electrical work without proper licensing (even if you have the skills) and without permitting, you are putting your house at risk and your insurance.

:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+, zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680, some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

Be careful, wish properly.

If you feel the costs are too high for repairs, then ask to do them yourself...however, you need to make sure they are done properly and accept responsibility if there are problems. 

In the meantime, the situation is extremely frustrating for many LPs who, like yourself, seem to be losing a lot of money, while supporting the apparently lavish instagram lifestyles flaunted by many sponsors who brag about how their time is worth a bajillion dollars an hour and fly private to exotic locations.