What I would find ideal is to partner with a contractor, use some of my funds and some of their funds (or their investor funds) to finance the build.

Learning from those with experience would be so ideal.

I remember going to one in late 2006/early 2007 at the Exhibit Grounds (right before the market crashed).

I was the lender they were the borrowers and when things went bad their tenants stopped paying they could would pay for a few months then quit and then I took the asset.. lost of drama lots of marital discord .. was not pretty.. but I am not predicting those times again I am hoping that was once in a life time.. but folks that had free and clear assets even if they sat vacant they did not lose them.. that's my point.. no most of my friends that made it owned business or were presidents of companies that went public and got monster stock payouts.. remember I am from the Bay AREA...

*Remember to underwrite a management fee and payroll!

Game is an important term to remember. 

We're a young family looking to buy a multi-unit (2-4) units anywhere in the triangle that is safe and ideally in a well defined neighborhood. 

Then ideally, you have already profited $30,000 because you stayed under the ARV.STEP 2.

But remember it has nothing to do with no comingling the funds.

Remember, each package of shingles weighs something like 70 to 90 pounds.