Ok, here's 2 observations of his system with clients:will county Sheriff sale.

There is a retaining wall that is bowing, which I had an estimate done during the purchase contract which the seller dropped the sales price for that repair.  

Thanks, Hi Mickey,While typically I advocate for retaining properties for rental benefits, selling can be the right move under certain circumstances.

When you have a client who already has the materials then the client can only retain the contractor to source for labor and quite frankly, I don't see a problem with the client sourcing for project labor here ( whether specialized or unspecialized).

Ensure the property manager is meeting your standards and expectations.Secondary question: Old Listings:Established Reviews: Old listings have a history of reviews, which can attract more bookings and build trust with potential guests.SEO Benefits: Established listings may rank higher in search results on OTAs.Brand-New Listings:Flexibility: New listings can be optimized from scratch based on current best practices and market trends.Promotions: OTAs often give new listings a visibility boost to help them get initial bookings.It's essential to balance the benefits of a property manager handling OTA listings with the need to retain control and flexibility over your property.

Here are some options and considerations:Loan Against Equity/ETFs:Margin Loans:Description: Margin loans allow you to borrow money using your investments (such as stocks or ETFs) as collateral.Pros:You retain ownership of your investments.Generally quick access to funds.Interest rates can be relatively low compared to other types of loans.Cons:Your investments are used as collateral, so if their value declines significantly, you may face a margin call (requiring additional funds or securities).Interest rates can vary and may be higher than traditional loans depending on the lender and your creditworthiness.Securities-Based Line of Credit (SBLOC):Description: Similar to margin loans, SBLOCs use your securities (stocks, ETFs) as collateral, but they typically provide more flexibility and may not trigger margin calls as easily.Pros:Allows for ongoing access to funds as long as your collateral remains sufficient.Interest rates may be competitive.Cons:Similar risks of potential margin calls if the value of your securities drops significantly.Terms and interest rates can vary widely among lenders.Comparison with 401(k) Loans:401(k) Loans:Description: Borrowing from your 401(k) allows you to access funds without selling investments, using your retirement savings as collateral.Pros:Typically low interest rates.No credit check required.Interest paid on the loan goes back into your 401(k) account.Cons:Usually capped at a percentage of your vested balance (commonly up to 50% or $50,000).If you leave your job, the loan may need to be repaid immediately or could be considered a taxable distribution.Potential opportunity cost of missing out on market gains if funds are withdrawn from investments.Other Alternatives:Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC):Description: If you own a home with equity, a HELOC allows you to borrow against that equity at typically lower interest rates than unsecured loans.Pros:Lower interest rates compared to other types of loans.Interest may be tax-deductible if used for home improvements (consult a tax advisor).Cons:Your home serves as collateral, so failure to repay could result in foreclosure.Personal Loans:Description: Unsecured personal loans can be used for various purposes, including investing, but typically have higher interest rates than loans secured by collateral.Pros:No collateral required.Funds can be used for any purpose.Cons:Higher interest rates and stricter eligibility criteria based on creditworthiness.I am a loan officer and we do some of the loans stated above.

Unless you plan to pair it with a construction division or can build out a brokerage and the property management is utilized to bring in and/or retain business, it's not a great business to be in if you plan to manage 3rd party assets.

Whether is taking his "course", paying for the self written articles about his success or aka writing "puff pieces", buying fake Instagram followers, sitting on FB marketplace trying to get someone to pay for a house they don't know is condemnable and pay to have DJ remodel it and DJ never completing the remodel,  him spending an enormous time defending himself in small claims court, and threatening charges on  people that don't know law so they pay what he wants.All of those examples came from either my observation, experience, or other peoples reviews of him.The guy rented me a condemnable property.

I observed a similar scam but less money involved. 

One to continue my business out of, and the other to retain for cash flow.