I started off by looking for a deal and then putting the pieces in place.

Coming together has allowed me to build relationships with the players/pieces that need to be in place to make it a successful environment and there have been bumps along the way no doubt and we learned so much, but you can't get anywhere you want to go in life without learning the lessons you need to get there.  

I am about 9 years in the roomie/tenant house hack (where i basically PM'ed for the LL from the inside); and about 2.5 years in the roomie/LL bucket. one piece i will add, i try my best to not "call shots" and keep things pretty democratic/ open for dialogue discussion between everyone. unless its a safety issue (or a liability issue, like guests can be)... i prefer this to be "our home" instead of "my house". 

Not only that but when you are in a portfolio loan and would like to for example sell one and break it out then most lenders will want to be paid back 120% of the balance attached to that piece of property back into the principle of the loan

I would still ask what they need you for as they are providing every piece of the puzzle?

Everyone will promote their market or if they are protective of their Intel, they will keep their market to themselves.  

Unlike traditional financing, where the buyer buys cash from the bank (mortgage) and gives it all to the seller, I'm just buying the equity in pieces.5 - See above. 

I had an existing business fall to pieces and am in the process of looking for a job (or other means of income), so money is hard to come by. 2.

So, I bought a piece of land that I planned to build a new home on for me and my family.

Arman, deals are the most important piece.