I was lucky and I survived and flourished but there were lots of times during where I thought I was screwed.While the reward was pretty great, the risk was huge, and I would definitely not do it again unless for some reason I really, really needed the money. 

I focus more on building long term equity myself, but you need significant cash flow just to survive problems that will arise.

You won't save 20% by hiring your own subs, you will lose money doing it that wayNo one wishes you ill, just remember no battle plan survives first contact with the enemy, so all your advance planning needs to be accompanied by a strong sense of "how to adapt", good persuasive and communication skills and backup plans.  

How do I survive without losing everything?

Maui will survive, but it may take a while to get back on track.

REITS that own shopping malls or sky-scraper office buildings are effectively the walking dead and many will not survive. 

You have received a reply from the most reputable person in the real estate industry and the most trusted and admired Bigger Pockets contributor.Someone that has known first hand how I operate and has played a huge part on putting my company on the map.Someone that has no problems calling me out if/when I'm wrong.So for all reading, I think Jay's words speak enough volume.With your negative reviews blasted across every known Ohio Cashflow and Oz Realty review platform, it doesn't seem like you are taking responsibility so I disagree.You are out for blood and that's fine.You can have as much of mine as you want if it makes you "survive" and feel better.As someone that wears his heart on his sleeve and bleeds for the business and our investors I'm happy to take 100% responsibility.I have NEVER done what you have and would NEVER do what you have.There are others ways to resolve such matters.You could have approached me privately but "No".You waited to sell the property and the day it sold you went on this rampage...Reading our correspondence over my gut was telling me the same to not work with you.Below are some of your comments from a few years ago.It's such a shame it has come to this.This conversation becomes more and more absurd as it continues: I lost $15,800 buying a property from you.

This quitting W2 to survive on REI reminds me of the FIRE movement or Paleo diet.

Linda  I dont bother, most of these including mortgages are wiped out when tax deed issued as long as county does proper notifications.Nobody ever writes about restrictions, reservations and easements of record surviving a tax deed sale. 

I would double check I suspect HOA liens get removed as well since they are junior to the tax .. over the years we bought literally hundreds if not more than a thousand parcels in CA at tax sale and never once had a lien survive.. the only bummer was we got one over turned when the county missed the statutory publishing date  ( 21 days) by one day and the owner who lost the property brought a civil suit and the judge reversed it.. the entire sale that year could have been reversed over 250 properties but each and every own would have had to bring a civil suit.. then after one year there is NO ability to reverse the sale. and of course we got our money back.. but spent money on attorney.