I am subletting a property that I am planning on purchasing the set up where instead of any type of security deposit I am re-having the property which is necessary before I rent it out.I will have about $20,000 in expenses all before I purchased the property.

Things like a new roof can range - here in Philadelphia where i do a lot of work, our flat rubber rowhome roofs are fairly inexpensive and standard . . .

Once you decide on a contractor I would keep the fire marshall in the loop as to the scope of work and the timeframe for completion. 

The cinderblocks are made there, so they are inexpensive.

During the partnership, you can jointly manage the property, increase its value, negotiate a flexible repayment plan with the seller that allows for larger payments after the property appreciates, ensure a written agreement that clearly specifies repayment terms and timeframes and refinance, and the sellers are able to 1031 at their leisure? 

Was last year abnormal or you think the normMy guess is you will spend a lot more than $200k on an attorney with benefits etc. but if it cuts down in expenses it definitely is something I would consider and even if it costs a little more, having control with having someone in house does reduce unknown costs and risks. 

I've talked to lots of California and a few NYC investors that have lost money (including myself) who bought inexpensive properties in the Midwest mostly and a few in the South (Class C is volatile). - some strategies I've seen California investors use to lessen negative cash flow: house hacking, mid-term rentals (people temporarily displaced from home renovation or insurance reasons like fire), rent by the room, Short Term Rentals. - The ultimate house hack, live in the small ADU unit and rent out the two levels of the main house on AirBnb in San Francisco (I would have thought STRs are oversaturated in S.F. but it worked for them and they stay fully booked).

Each individual needs to assess their own ability to handle costs over that time frame when cash flow may dry up.

The lender made the most money on this deal as they had a $30,000 fee clause in the agreement for going over our timeframe on the rehab.

I am sure many are actually purchasing real estate with these unsecured loans but the investors are not really benefiting from the real estate, they are merely making a fixed return and providing inexpensive equity sources to those who actually own the real estate.