Quote from @Michael Rodriguez: Howdy fellow Memphis investors,Any ideas for protecting thieves from pulling out the HVAC copper pipe? 

An emergency fund needs to be liquid, and immediately available to you in addition to being low risk and protecting principle. 

Exceptional Risk Management - Knowing how to structure deals to protect investors first, even at your own expense.3.

In the NE states, AKA tenant friendly states, I would always have a PM to help protect my interests.

A good PM should protect your interests and anticipate potential risks like this.Let me know how it all shakes out!

Leverage the Power of LLCsEstablishing a Limited Liability Company (LLC) for your real estate investments can offer both legal protection and tax benefits.

Urban Development land swaps are often used as a strategy to: - Consolidate public land holdings - Acquire important natural or recreational areas - Facilitate development while ensuring community benefitsLand swaps can provide several benefits to communities: - Preservation of open spaces and environmentally sensitive areas - Creation of new public parks or recreational facilities - Protection of wildlife habitats and corridors - Improved land management efficiencyI searched for some Urban examples for reference: 1.

Not a normal moderator who makes sure that people who post are posting according to the rules, but an advanced moderator that is an authority on all things that he doesn't do himself, and one that can protect the unsuspecting new investor from dangerous partnership structures and people like me, Jonathan, Don and anyone else you may have on your list. 

There are thousands of pages on consumer protection laws and regulations that depending how you go about doing a subject to could be against these laws and regulations. so like most things - is itillegal - it depends.  

A well written management contract should clearly spell out what is expected of both the PMC and the owner, to PROTECT both and avoid misunderstandings.