Eventually you'll start developing relationships with people in the market that will bring you off market deals, but they have to believe that you can close the deal.

Over time, we have developed systems to handle these situations as effectively as possible.

He's also the developer and this is the first house in Phase II of this development.

But, all of the areas around there are starting to develop as well. 

That is just not realistic in this current market.So in my opinion it's important to expose yourself to a large number of deals, so you can develop an intuitive sense of what's reasonable and what's not (and quickly discard the ones that aren't).And it's true that there is no way to 100% protect from fraud (and not just in passive real estate investments but even in public stocks etc.).

The DST gives you this option, while 1031 does not.2) Direct up to 80% of the funds to an LLC and partner with the trust for a business purpose such as purchasing investment real estate, loan business, buy into a business or develop investment RE at your own timing (all capital gains tax deferred, without having to follow any timing guidelines.)3) The DST can save a failed 1031 exchange.

This can help you gain experience and start to network and develop a team of people who can help you invest in future deals.  

I’m currently evaluating whether to go with a Fund Model instead of a traditional JV for an upcoming multifamily project, I will be working as a developer looking to do work with a more experienced developer on a larger scale multi-family opportunity.

I currently do Business Development for our property management company and work with all of the new owners and properties.

Many developers leave the tubs without even a hanging rod which looks incomplete.