I'm thinking about partnering with a friend who I feel can help with having feet on the ground in Los Angeles area. 

Dear Bigger Pockets Friends,I have a self directed IRA from Pensco which was formed when i was a passive investor on a multifamily deal. 

maybe do a JV or approach your friends/family to raise capital. 

I currently own a few rentals in different states, but since getting my real estate license i have started looking at family and friends for prospecting new deals as a new agent.I have a family member who has been renting houses for as long as i can remember between her and her boyfriend, but they both have some bad credit due to falling behind a few years back after both losing their jobs and juggling life for a while tell they found new jobs.I am a bit unsure about this idea still due to the fact that i have been running numbers on multi-family homes to purchase in the near future and turn into rentals, but i want to help them if it's a viable idea...I wanted to get your opinion on maybe purchasing a house based on their needs and running a lease option on the house for them to purchase down the road when they have the credit again....Right now they are renting a 3/1/1 for $1200/month and there is a lot of 3bed houses around them that are in the 100k and below that would meet the needs of them, im just worried about buying the house for them tieing up my own money and not have enough financing available to continue purchasing investment properties as my rental income from all my current rentals is my only income coming in right now as i start the career of an agent.

Currently I have a business my with friends/investors in Des Moines Iowa .

I'm currently paying $63/mo for 7 listings.I also tried out http://beyondpricing.com which has a really nice interface and seems to have a good finger on the pulse of local events.

Hello all,Names Julien and a good friend an I have been interested in rental property investment for about a year now.  

We were lucky enough to have close friends who needed a place to stay for the first year or so.

Willing to bet as a private lender you'll have little problem making friends on here :)

Smartmove user here.