Buying through an agent may provide more transparency, while sheriff sales and auctions can offer deals but often come with risks, like limited property inspection or legal complications.

I love how Airbnb just pay me based on the evidence without going through 6 months legal battle or 3 years of collection hunting. 

As long as they pull the proper permits and are licensed contractors (if required in your state), they can legally work on the property.

I don't want them coming after me legally if I sell.

At the time, it never occurred to me that if you want to swindle people it is difficult and expensive to take legal action against a company that is incorporated in a different state than where they do business.

And you can't legally dictate how much they carry for personal belongings. 

I’ve reported this to the FTC and have legal counsel.

No legal jargon or last-minute surprises.Smaller credit unions are also worth exploring.

- FYI: it's only illegal to try to rent it out, the property owner can usually legally live in a nonconforming basement unit.If you do all this you may still negatively cashflow each month, so make sure your income can cover and/or your cash reserves.If you do this successfully, you will learn more in 1-2 years than you would reading here on BP for 5+ years:)Good luck:)

If you care to learn about the distinctions, read these posts:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/517/topics/1215989-expl...https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/51-tax-legal-issues-con...2.