They paid their portion of the rent.I have found a lot of investors bring their personal or political feelings into the investing conversation. 

They do not want the other person's name on the deed or the mortgage once the dirvorce is finalized.   

The money will follow that.

I prefer to not hire an attorney unless I must because I am afraid it will cost a lot of money.

The pro development and affordable housing advocates use the term NIMBY, but I suspect it is the rare person that buys in a single family zoned area that would be thrilled to have 17 units (qp16 additional units added) in the lot next to them.My initial protege was the land source on this effort.  

I would be less concerned about the cheapest money and more concerned about decent terms and execution.

You missed an important item: Depending on how a person does #1 or #2, it could get them: A fast-pass to the "Principles Office" for "bullying" and now there sitting in "detention".... 

Yes - it is far more work than a silent investor in a syndication... but I want the control, so find it personally more rewarding.  

I’d suggest negotiating the furniture into the sale and then slowly swapping pieces later as you personalize the space.

When I make money, they make money.