Italians like to avoid taxes thus they don’t necessarily go through the permit process.  

It’s an interesting approach, but ensuring a strong screening process and a legally solid agreement is key.

That's the opportunity.I also recommend engaging an 'investment focused' realtor (not the general residential ones) to guide you through the process and provide you with market intelligence. 

Everyone in real estate will be incentivized to upcharge your friend along the process hurting profitiability. 

Mark, I am in the process of completing a HELOC with Wells Fargo.

What's a friendly foreclosure process?

For the BRRRR process I plan on using a hard money lender for the rehab process for the SFH's but what I'm not sure of is, should I purchase a duplex and rent one unit out and live in the other or should I just rent for now, not purchase a duplex and just purchase a SFH with cash and start BRRRR'n immediately?

If you want to be vary hands on in the process find an agent that will guide you every step.

To protect this community, they are selective about the people bring in because we all want connect with people who are motivated, committed to the process, and excited about being part of a real estate investing community.

Quote from @Nick Am: I own a rental property through a single member LLC (say LLC-A) and I am in process of purchasing another property under the same LLC-A.