The PMS around here are pretty terrible, I've worked with a lot of the larger ones in Cleveland and I think they just take on more properties than they can effectively handle and don't hire enough additional employees to make it work. 

Did they handle everything after purchase? 

Handling the contract to close process OR you could pay for a transaction coordinator if you don't want to do it yourself.Personally, I would have a realtor do it and charge the seller 1% commission.

This gives you a foundation for making a fair offer.Secure Financing: Be prepared to show you’re a serious buyer with funding lined up, whether through cash, traditional financing, or a creative option like seller financing.Have a Strategy for Repairs or Development: If the property is distressed, outline how you’ll handle improvements to bring it back to productive use.

We buy the cabinet hardware in bulk on Amazon and do flush mount hinges, new handles and knobs.

- Why would you expect a well-run, profitable PMC to work for free handling maintenance? 

Quote from @Greg Grisez: How do you handle this one? 

Another one to consider is the FHA 203(b) if the repairs aren’t too major and you’re okay handling some out-of-pocket fixes.

2) how are "assessments" handled w/ a DST?

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but when you look at the facts of what money was invested in and how it was handled, it leaves little to hope for.The only potential to get anything back is a potential SEC / FBI investigation to see if any fraud was at play where other assets of Norada is possibly garnished to pay back investors.