Everyone learns a hard lesson.3) Accept a reimbursement of $4000 to me from the group (I don't care who pays) so that I'm compensated for my $3000 invested in purchase plus the $1000 I'm going to be reimbursing my buyers for, and we'll walk away and they can maintain their fraudulent scheme.4) Or???  

With that being said I have many real estate books trying to sell me on the person and scheme.

It needs to cover every aspect of the business right down to choice of wall colours.

I've read that those can be a money making scheme for lawyers, and don't provide the protection/anonymity you may think they do.Have you done much research?

@Rachel Mellies sounds like the standard justification for every Ponzi scheme out there!

You may be surprised but if you have ever looked through the list of SEC enforcement actions, prosecutions, securities fraud related cases, you'd be shocked to find out that there are infact, very dangerous and sophisticated criminals out there who device all sorts of schemes to swindle unsuspecting investors out of hard earned cash.

In the grand scheme of things interest rates are still relatively low. 

I think where people fail is they get caught up in the rush when starting and believing it’s simple or get rich quick scheme as that’s what many gurus lead you to believe but that is farthest from reality.

I will go in and do the new paint scheme, upgrade countertops or kitchens, upgrade appliances and look to maximize my rental income. 

Real estate is not a "get-rich-quick" scheme.