(I also learned in that time how to actually analyze deals and found out that my LA "house hack" was going to be a very expensive proposition, funded by — and trapping me into — my day job!) 

ie, I got charged $75 to copy a key.Market rates for contractor services vary by such wide margins (Sometimes 1000%), I think the true value-add proposition for a manager is to offer those services for set affordable rates.  

The post-purchase value proposition for the investor is dividends based on how the assets perform.  

Managing rentals on opposite sides of the country is a tricky proposition and you might be better served with another investment class.

For more details on why some of us are gun shy on your proposition, check out this other BP topic http://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/32/topics/98989-40-ways-to-take-a-syndicator-down specifically, the download file that is well worth the price (no cost to BP community).

Most of the articles that I've read assume that capital depreciation is deducted from current year income at 25%, or deferred in the case of someone with too high of an AGI to deduct real estate losses.  In my situati...

In fact, you should probably be wary of someone who's sole value proposition is investment performance

If you can use them as private lenders, that is a much better value proposition for you, since giving up equity is worse for returns.  

Also especially about the value proposition to your guests because a large groups saves more money per person for their travel accommodations.

The front loaders, which are stackable, are all the rage but are a hit or miss proposition.