I’m benefiting from being really close to the site of the soon to be finished Obama library. 

Great to have you on the site. 

The website 51west.properties also scores low on scam advisor ("owner is using a service to hide their identity, high number of suspicious websites on the server, registrar has a high % of spammers and fraud sites, website is (very) young, website appears to be hosted by a company with a bad reputation", all according to https://www.scamadviser.com/check-website/51west.properties...)Trust your instincts. 

I didn't, and the people at Eagle Rock, who approved permits and necessary utility connections, were not very cooperative, which made the process more stressful than it had to be.I've seen lots listed on Zillow and the Aggressive Real Estate web site. 

I don't beleive this is true based on the IRS site stating you don't have to issue a 1099 if you are "not engaged in a trade or business."  

It’s just a gamble.  

The best will often ask for nothing until they set foot on the jobsite and really start with site set-up and demo. 

Quote from @Patricia Andriolo-Bull: Quote from @Lauren Kormylo: Update - Patricia and I have been working on it, and I contacted the admin of the nationwide scammer site I'm on. 

So I would go on different sites like Roomster, FB marketplace, and similar sites like that to see what people are renting rooms out for.

Find a realtor that preferably has some investment experience that you get along well with and keep an eye out on sites such as realtor, craigslist, etc.