Without the utilization of Reg D, the plaintiffs would have more chance of winning under various legal theories, attorneys are more willing to take their cases, cost of defending yourself is much greater, and outcome far less certain.

References from recent projects are just as important to make sure people are happy with their past work.You want to be signing a contract with the company who holds the license to be a general contractor so they have to defend their license if something goes wrong and is not done per terms of their contract.

Just a question... are the ones who are most fervently defending this market and insisting that it can't crash the same ones that would be hurt the most if it did?

If so, cross your fingers that the tenant likes you and doesn't get the idea to go to an attorney, because that's how you wind up as a defendant in a federal civil rights lawsuit.

AND the judgement lists both the husband and wife's name as defendants.  

That disclosure may provide a position to defend a call of the note in the future.The risk is lower if the borrower is directly involved and higher if this is from the borrower to you and you to a new buyer.  

Even "tax attorneys" are typically attorneys that defend you against IRS audits and lawsuits, not typically people you want to go to for specific tax advice.As @Logan Allec said, you want an attorney for forming business entities like LLCs for asset protection, or for drafting any contracts or agreements necessary for your flip business (partnership agreements, etc).

If all these questions are too much for you to handle Travis, than i suggest you don't jump on the podium and declare your market is the best of em all if not ready to defend the statement. 

If I contact a rep on this I'd have to say "good job, keep defending small business". 

I've seen topics posted with a title of "Umbrella Policy or LLC" on various forums.It should never be a question of one OR the other.Remember, insurance is like the Archers & Knights that defend your castle.You still need your Castle Walls and Moat for a well rounded protection strategy for what is inside those walls.