.], a DP providing a benefit to an IRA does not strike me as a PT. 

Should we right away try to strike a deal with an investor to get into small scale property development?

Well here's an old article but it gives the basics of investing remotely-https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2012/12/2...The biggest thing is to know what end of the spectrum you're going in on... turnkey on one side all the way to full-out rehabbing on the other side, and everything in between.Let me know if that article strikes up any questions or helps at all.

Comparing 5 Series to 1 regular LLC strikes me as a loaded comparison. 

Asking rent is $2550 + utilities, first last security deposit is $7650 (which both strike me as a ton of money and beyond what I'd comfortably choose to afford, but this area is kinda going nuts).Last night, the most recent prospective tenant (single mom and high school daughter) said she would sign a 2-year lease and have the cash to me before Monday.The other competing tenant (family of 4) is actually former tenants. 

That’s a loss of $480 from income, making this strike instead of a steal.

I also make sure all the deadbolts latch properly and have strike plates.

BP should have a 3 strike rule with people like that (but I digress). 

I think anything in small multifamily (2-4 units) is the *ideal* strike zone for new investors.

You’ll miss out on listing after listing trying to lowball them and you could still wholesale the deal should you strike gold if you’re an agent.