"affordable housing" is turning into free rent, paid for by uncle sam.

There are many ways the banks could improve their own situations but I guess it's easiest to create a horrible mess and then wait for Uncle Sam to clean it up.

just stop making payments; it will take them 3-5 months to initiate foreclosure ( it starts with " notice of default"); but in the meanwhile congress will passs the BAILOUT; then uncle sam will buy your " toxic" note for something like 30 cents on a dollar; after that - most likely - uncle sam will " modify" your loan ( how'bout zero interest plus knocking off 65% of principal - would'n you make that kind of payment ?)

What would be the best structure to protect all of the partners (from Uncle Sam, our lender, and each other!!)

This is a moot point as the actual "extra" commission is typically so little after splits with the broker, and uncle sam.

Not having much education coming to HK from mainland to work at his uncles jewellery store at 17!

My uncle moved his house up the street (family owned home for a long time, moved to a bigger lot) and it cost him a small fortune.

Recently, my great uncle has offered to help me get into real estate investing.

I invited one of my Hawaiian uncles to my wedding coming up in May.

Uncle Sam is requiring his citizens to write a book for him every year instead of doing something productive.