I also hold a couple of real estate forums in the area for people like yourselves to connect with service providers, GC's, etc. 

You should find a lot of resources on BP but I think the most useful people to talk to would be MF builders and local officials in your target areas.

People’s Republic of Asheville is more concerned with STR regulations than people living in boxes on the streets.

I have seen out of state people come in and think they are getting a whopper of a deal. 

Then, after I had experience and several wins, people were willing to partner with me on deals, or lend to me in second position for a short period of time to help with the down payment and with repairs and then I would pay them back when I would refinance.

I've done this with my properties because I'm well known in my small town and don't want people to know what I own.LEGAL PROTECTION: By placing your assets in an LLC, you are legally separating them from your personal assets.

This is a great place to learn and to connect with people so take advantage of all the great resources.

You might need to file 1099s if you used contractors or other people whom you paid for labor:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51/topics/1167632-expla...

When you say you want to prioritize cash flow over equity, you want to watch out for people honing in on that and selling you "good cash flow" deals which will be in D neighborhoods and will come with high capital expenditures and harder tenancies.

I've heard horror stories that it's usually impossible due to the "burden placed on the municipality" but could really never understand what that burden was... most people living in those units wouldn't be using the school systems so aside from maybe an increased volume in emergency medical situations I can not understand that statement?