You instantly jumped to 15 properties, which sounds good, makes sense, but you're also assuming that you have a constant cost-of-capital.  

We basically made an offer for 5-7 years of them financing the entire thing and gave them several reasons this would benefit them, mainly a better financial return in the long run and instant sale. 

If you could read a few books and time the market you would be rich instantly.

Jason, I would have to say that is one hell of a coincidence, but more likely, your investigations uncovering the details and the threat of getting the agent in trouble IS why you got an instant call back!

I'd put another 20% into a  hard money loans fund like Broadmark ( instant  diversification into hundreds of notes,  quarterly redemptions after a one-year lock up).  

For example, if you see that the investors website looks like it should be in the Smithsonian and you know how to design websites, sending him a quick sketch or preview of a better website will instantly get you a ton of points.

I have been looking for weeks with a good realtor and getting instant email updates on any property changes in my market area. 

Most anything in those two counties that isn’t overpriced is going to get snatched up instantly... great, appreciating communities.

Even though you had the cash to burn, I'd would concentrate more on being picky about the instant equity, cash flow and return on investment for EACH deal that I jumped into more than I would spend time on "which" asset class to buy.Personally, I would accelerate what I do now and that is single family homes.In this SC Market you can buy, rehab, rent then SELL to investor, then with that cash, buy TWO, repeat...That would be my strategy.Bottom line is that you throw that cash at an initial OK deal and not a home run deal, you are shortchanging yourself.

Do any of your friends know the neighborhood by name, instantly and negatively?