The big difference that I saw was in how you market to potential investors, if you are playing in the usual real estate lender/investor space, they may be leery of lending to a blind pool that does not have a specific property.You could take the semi-blind pool position where you give them a model deal(s) that will fit into a theoretical box even though you do not have a specific deal yet. 

Only way to semi-legitimately combine is to truly rent property A for a year plus before selling to acquire next in a 1031.  

That means more holding costs and possibly broker fees.Fortunately for me, I was able to turn my semi-horror story into a great rental property.

Buying distressed to semi-distressed and adding an ADU, refinancing and continuing the process...I recently spoke with a developer who has close to a 1,000+ units here in Los Ángeles and always building high luxury residential and let him know about my desires and he suggested Multifamily and start with a minimum of 10 units here in Los Ángeles County.

Then China may feel they have nothing to loose and attack Taiwan (or some other semi desperate action).

I bought 2 off market duplexes from a guy I semi-knew knowing very well they both needed a re-roof.

I would paint that a nice bright semi gloss white and then pain the walls a nice shade of grey (I hear there are 50 different shades).

Inspections are at least semi-annually. 

We use a semi-gloss, washable paint with extra coats around light switches, corners, and other areas likely to get dirty.  

@Colby Mulry Try doing semi-monthly payments if you're concerned.