Another one I wish I had taken earlier was to get involved with a boutique or specialized commercial broker. 

Calculating these losses involves documenting the fair market value of the property before and after the disaster, adjusted for any insurance or other reimbursements.

The higher the cap rate, the more risk involved in the building. 

Read "Long-Distance Real Estate Investing" by David Greene, then spend some time reading through the forums.

When investing in high cash-flow markets, I always recommend working with an investor friendly agent so you're able to gain the right insight on the different areas and the risks involved.

You're learning about the eviction process, tenant screening (never "word of mouth" again), the power of a lease WHEN not IF a neutral third party needs to be involved, tenant/landlord laws, and managing tenants who don't care about your business the way you do. 

I'm not completely foreign to the construction process as I grew up around a family that was involved in home building, but due to living in another state I can't really lean on them for the direct, hands-on guidance. 

However, in emergencies or cases involving health and safety, we would attempt to contact the owner first and, if unsuccessful, proceed with the repair as outlined in the contract.Regarding the hot water heater, do you know if it genuinely needed to be replaced?

We both knew we were aligned in our goals and had a clear understanding of our respective roles in the deal from the outset.If seller financing is part of the equation, look for someone who’s not only experienced with creative financing but also understands how to manage the potential risks involved.

I would get an attorney or title company involved to create your loan documents to ensure they comply with the law and cover all the aspects you need.Another method that is likely your best bet to take on investors is to create a joint venture (JV).