Syndication means I have to find syndicators, split the pot and more importantly align on goals, desires etc. 

Yeah, that makes sense to keep the pot churning.

What I recommend doing is making your offer based on comparable sales; a realtor can help you with that and as a buyer, you pay no commissions so why not add the bench strength. 

Pots, pans, utensils, etc I purchased.

You guessed it: the financing.I'm pursuing buy-and-hold, SFH.I don't have much of my own $$ to throw into the pot, so here's what I'm thinking:- Figure out about what a house would cost (I'm told to expect ~$200K - $250k)- Assume a traditional loan, and needing 25% down- So I'll need to raise ~$62,000 for the down payment- I approach friends and family, network with potential investors to raise those funds- Bank supplies the loan for the remaining ~$180,000Something like that.Should I speak with a real estate attorney before approaching those potential investors?

My in-laws also want to help offset cost of college tuition but i don't think the in-laws money and the business account money should be counted against or show a larger pot of money available for college tuition. 

I wouldn't bother changing the color ($$) for a rental if the siding is still in good shape.I'd also get a couple of big patio pots & put colorful mums in them (it's that time of year already) & put one on either side of the front door.

But, your state may be different.Oh, one more Pro - you can get your face on a bus bench if you're really bad at marketing.

You can not buy a pot of gold for a penny.

I'm sure a football player in the NFL on the bench is looking for ways to make more money then his teammates.