Athas Capital used to be the king of ALRs before COVID, but since they have closed up shop, I've not seen any lender offer very competitive terms on ALRs. 

One closed shop 3 weeks into my program and removed all their online content.

.- McGowin Park developed a huge retail space in 2015 which consists of: 199,500- square-foot retail shopping center containing a future expansion area, five restaurant "pads" and 4.5 acres of outparcel development, and the west development consists of a 148,000-square-foot anchor store with an associated gas station, an 89,600-square-foot shopping center and 7.41 acres of outparcel area.

Main thing for you is: - Have both you and your buddy talk to the same lender and get pre-approved to understand down payment options and what your combined budget would be- Decide how you want title held (joint tenancy or tenants in common) - do a google search on this to see which option is best for you guys- START SHOPPING!

Some come a facet, others don't, just shop around.If you DIY the install you'll save more money.

Someone with a good shop vac that has a long hose can get it cleaned out pretty easily. 

If you're bankable shop around and you will be competitive on rate and terms with banks without going through this arduous process of forming these unnecessary structures, transferring title and incurring additional transactional fees etc.

If you don't have enough cash, then you shop around for loans.  

There are exceptions to this rule, but there are an abundance of examples that had investors not been prepared to perform might still be shopping..- Voice of reason: The 'best' real estate professionals are apparently the most honest.

I used a local independent agent and when this was his best answer - I tried to shop for other options and came up empty so far.