I've know him personally for years, had the opportunity to consult with him on both sides of the business and have to say he's the real deal. 

To streamline design choices, create a design guide or "mood board" beforehand to stay consistent with finishes that match the neighborhood's expectations.For monitoring progress, a property manager can sometimes oversee construction, but it’s typically better to rely on the GC for updates.

My spreadsheet also includes FMV of every property so I can monitor appreciation, year over year comparison of tax & insurance increases, current rent & last increase & last amount, etc.

Continue to monitor the few syndication investments we made..

Ensure compliance with local laws, start with smaller loans to gain experience, monitor your investments regularly, and trust your instincts as you navigate this venture.I myself, as a PML.

Ultimately, consulting with a real estate focused accountant is the move here, but this should be a helpful primer.

However, as Zane mentioned in his response, another option is to consult with a lawyer who specializes in appealing property taxes.

Be sure to consult with your CPA to determine if you can utilize these deductions based on your specific tax situation.

She needs someone who can think outside the box and won't be looking for opportunity to sell her on something for their own financial gain and are willing to provide a free preliminary consultation.

Like you said, every time you visit family, you can check in on the properties and now the trip is a tax write off (consult your CPA).