And I would constantly bring up that I would love to buy the property he was living in.

The Long term, after some reserves, I'd like to bring down the assessment costs since I worry that this will negatively impact the property value. 

You might even want to setup a C-Corp (for tax and liability reasons as well) to manage the business with the guests and pay rent to your LLC. 

They are in decent shape but will get some rehab to bring them up to shape.

Like Having a great base of index funds and a fully funded IRA before throwing savings into crypto or the newest AI quantum-powered dog walking business! 

One solution I see some people do is to partner with another investor on a couple of deals where each brings something to the table...more capital, experience, etc.

Thank you.Thank you for bringing this matter to my attention.

because I was paying my bird-dogs vs having them pay me and just promise how someday, maybe just maybe they will bring the grand-slam of a deal and then I will be paying them oh-so much $$$$$ Seriously, from those buying into this I gotta understand how your mind works, no insult meant, I am genuinely intrigued and baffled because if it's a good deal you can go to any number of investors and get $, not a one will charge you for the opportunity to present them deal. 

I work with agents who know my buying criteria, and they bring deals to me before they hit the public market.

No business succeeded by drilling many holes.