BP,
We (father and son venture) are looking to put together a fund for investors… family and friends to begin… this is not a pitch I promise. About to go under contract on mobile home community #2. 
If anyone has do...

The numbers and business plan more than adequately support the project numbers (can share privately). 

There is a business side and there is the residential side- 4 Apartment units.

Nothing beats prospecting to find deals:1) driving for dollars2) door knocking3) cold callingThe great thing about #3 is that it can be handed off to a VA once you get busy, I know I run a Real Estate Call Center.

Every other house or business is boarded up.

Which will bring plenty of other investors and general business to the area.

I personally don't like STR's because they are more of a business than an investment(in my opinion).You didn't mention the amount of hours that you and your spouse work but I would have to assume it be between 1900 to 2200 hours assuming you work 48 weeks and between 40 to 50 hours a week.If you buy a STR and self-manage it, you are added 200-300 hours per year in additional work making your life more stressful and less time to do things that you enjoy.Best of luck. 

Looking for some creative advice that hopefully minimizes the tax bite.My business partner and I own two houses free and clear in our LLC.

I don't think I should have to run business ducking lender payments and using sneaky language.

The mortgage business is notoriously difficult, investor and lender guidelines (bank rules) are complex and vary among investors, generally speaking, brokers are not lending their own capital and the liaison on concierge gate keeper.