Based on rent of $1,695, I think you'll be lucky to get an appraised value of $160k with a CoC return well under 2%.

I would take out a private loan on the paid off property to get the other one squared away

If you get 1% to get an appointment / follow up call and close on 1 you are winning. 

We would be looking to get into something in the $350,000 to $600,000 range.

This guy is great and he thinks outside of the box to get the deal done.

The truth is if your investors have no involvement in the operations, If they just put in money and expect to get a profit, you have created a de facto syndication.2) I see a ton of people who just raise money for the syndication. 

When planning a home renovation, it's easy to focus on the excitement of picking out tiles, colors, and layouts—but there’s a lot happening behind the walls and floors that often gets overlooked. 

If they think they have an "Airbnb" Unless they own the publicly traded company, then they only have a STR, or a vacation rental if they have a nice place/location.

Get 3 bids from contractors, get a copy of their insurance etc.- verify the policy is current. 2.

I started out house hacking prior to getting married.