Contact an assert protection attorney and a tax attorney for specifics.

Having just one SFR I think makes a business assertion a big stretch.

I also do not think I had the skill set or confidence to landlord properly with my friends (wouldn’t of felt comfortable or been assertive enough), so a part of this may be helping him through the process of becoming a landlord.

After looking into it a little bit, I agree with your assertion that it might be a waste to get my inspector's license...

Asserting your rights here over used toilets may end up poorly, Nothing like 100 lbs of concrete mix dumped down your stack to ruin your day a few weeks into your next tenant's lease.

You paid for a job that was not done, you need to set time in the contract when the contractor is getting paid.If your contractor is playing games you should be very firm and assertive "So, you said that you are going to finish the job by X and you didn't finish the job so here is what's going to happen, i will visit the job site every day this week and if i see that you are not making any progress i will have no choice but hiring someone else to finish the job and filing a dispute" As for the dispute itself i would be careful as he can easily put a lien against the property and that will cost you more than 4K 

It depends on your goals and the skills you already have that could be used in real estate investing.For example...If you like to analyze a lot of deals and you're good at negotiation, maybe wholesaling will work for youIf you have an eye for design and have experience managing people, then rehabbing might work for youIf you are very organized and detail oriented and know how to "read" people, you are assertive and you have no problem with confronting people, then maybe landlording will work for youAlso, it depends on your market too.

I never implied or tried to say that there should/would be no fees if that is what you are trying to assert!!

Dont be anxious just be assertive and everything will flow.

Brian, I ran your assertions by one of the larger hard money loan funds.