Get verbal commitments from investors and tally up how much you have committed, figure on about 50% of those people actually investing, often less.

Thumbtack is a great tool to be accustomed to as a new investor since you can find pretty much any job that you need there as well as get multiple quotes without having to commit. 

If you are trying to buy an investment property as a primary residence, then you are committing mortgage fraud, which could lead to calling your note due, fines, or even jail in extreme cases.Converting to a Conventional loan would require a max 75% LTV (loan to value) as an investment property, so if you are buying with a VA loan with 0 down, then somehow you need to magically create 25% equity within the first year.That's why you need to live there for a year. 

A person not acting under color of law to intercept: (1) a wire [,] communication except as described in paragraph (2) of this subsection, or an electronic or oral communication, where such person is a party to the communication or one of the parties to the communication has given prior consent to such interception, unless such communication is intercepted or used for the purpose of committing any criminal or tortious act in violation of the Constitution or laws of the United States or of this State or for the purpose of committing any other injurious act [.]; or

This is your chance to renegotiate based on inspection findings. 2 week before closing : schedule final utility readings, title search should be performed, and you should get homeowners insurance squared away. 1 week before closing - financing commitment if you’re getting a loan or mortgage. 24 hours before closing do a final walkthrough of the property. 

It depends on your goals, timeline, resources, and commitment.

I suggest if you are committed to not buying a multi-family then you at least do what I did and look for a place with a detached garage apartment, it pays half my costs for the property and I don't have to listen to or interact with my tenant at all.

For this I think that your partner would also need to commit to doing enough deals to satisfy your goals ($15 MM ?).

I know it's a commitment once I jump in and I have a full-time job.

Through some hard learned lessons I am committed to learn and succeed in real estate investing.