You can also learn a lot by being an investor in a syndication if you have intention.  

You kinda bought fixers with that intention in mind.

They get into financial troubles and try to compensate for it with your job, start cutting corners, starting on too many other jobs before finishing yours, hiring unskilled laborers to try to save on their costs, start failing inspections, intentionally overbuying materials to return later and pocket the money, etc. 

I must've misread the article, my intention is not to take any loans against the retirement account but to invest with it. 

Instead of asking the bank for a business loan, you could intentionally invest in properties with at least $100k in equity, and apply a HELOC.

It is definitely not designed with the intent of estimating repair costs as an REI.  

I don't believe the majority of folks form LLC's with the intention of defrauding anyone.Your statement about LLC members & managers being sued is slightly misleading. 

The tools to acquire or control are: Sub2 without a note Sub2 with a note Wrap - AITD Lease Option (with intentions to sell your interests as opposed to sandwich) Land Trust Purchase Land Contract Purchase (Installment Sale) Private First Mortgages for free and clear houses The strongest possible transaction for a buy and hold is a sub2, where you get the deed.

It wasn't my  initial intention to advertise that I'm a lawyer, but my mentors kept encouraging me to do so.

Just like all people in REI courses only a slim few make it out and do what their intentions were.