Do I really need to give more examples?

Would that be an example of a "guru" taking advantage of people?

An example would be a realtor brokerage that buys a mixed-use house in a downtown area, uses the main area for the brokerage office, and subleases/rents any remaining space to other businesses/tenants.

For example, will it be closer to 170k after capital gains tax?

I think it would also make sense to buy at least 1-2 rental properties a year from the very beginning so that these properties could act like some kind of a backup in case I lose my job for example etc.Thanks!

I have, for example, gotten an appraiser to drop a foreclosure comp and another to include a bathroom in a finished basement.

Example: 

We can use VOO, Vanguard's S&P 500 index, as an example.

For example, one HF could have 250,000 LLCs set up (not an exaggeration) and therefore can have 250,000 bids in the pot for 0.25%.

So, you should really reread their advice several times, then do your own research to fully understand their advice:)Don't let our responses dissuade you & your friend from investing, rather use their warnings to adjust your course of actions.You can probably find many examples of Partnership Agreements online.