Clear CommunicationA great contractor is easy to talk to and keeps you in the loop.

. $50k sounds like a lot to you but with the price of materials and of qualified labor, it does not go too far.

It sounded easy enough but I worked a 9-5 and driving anywhere in LA was a nightmare.

This metric became popular post GFC, when properties with a 1% rent to value ratio were fairly easy to find.  

It sounds like Aloha Capital is selling “shares” which are not secured by real estate and would be considered “unsecured loans.”

I don't ever recommend someone buy a property having never seen or been there.It sounds like @Dustin Hagemaier would be a great resource for you.

It sounds like you are just having trouble pulling the trigger. 

Easy to transition this to a property manager, or even have multiple people run the account, than if the account is a personal account.

Honestly looking at your situation I'm not sure I would recommend you do the taxes yourself,  change of accounting method (F 3115) isn't easy for someone that hadn't done them before these online software companies make things seem easier than what they are, they are good for less complex situations. 

Was that person me or another person as that sounds like something I have been telling people?