I know that if I do decide to go bigger and do an apartment building Id have it as protected as possible through a series of LLCs and whatnot (get a real estate lawyer).  

I was wondering how do you have the house open for showing and what not being so far away?

@Jay Hinrichs I agree man maybe I'm biased because I like BP but now that I think about it they have gotten very pitchy and guruish in their titles and what not.

It's those maniacs that buy homes cash via quit claim deed off of craigslist that really get screwed.Make sure your property manager is a licensed real estate brokerage.Google Clayton Morris and/or Morris Invest for a cautionary tale of what not to do when buying turnkey real estateUnderstand you can not eliminate all risk, only mitigate it.

Haha, just kidding, but, really thanks for telling me what not to do.... don't be direct and open and please tell me if I'm crazy but you are kind of coming off condescending, sorry if I am misreading you.But, considering this is an open forum, where people go to learn about things they don't know and/or network with those that do and don't know.At least contribute to thread, something more tangible/actionable.For example, in the vein of attempting to find out more about passive investing in apartment syndication...How do you break the ice at meeting other high net worth investors accredited investors, that invest in and/or recommend syndicators?  

Pretty much all of the things you mentioned here I've been told on a number of different podcasts, in many books, and by many paid for seminars on REI.What I learned (really early) is it's cheaper and faster to learn what to do right when you learn it from others that have done it right already.I also learned (not early enough) what you learn from doing it yourself, is more of what not to do than what to do, and it's far cheaper and faster when you learn that from others who have made those mistakes before you.

@Karen Margrave - If you work for a new construction project specifically (as in I am an agent for XYZ development) then it would be no, you can't do listings or whatnot.

LOLInvestors could read it to know what not to do and the public might learn how to eat the predator's lunch.

Get some bids from contractors (and remember to add in things like carpet, HVAC and what not that most contractors don't do).

@Jay Hinrichs - Thank you for taking time to share your thoughts.Forgive me, but I have noticed from this post and previous ones that you often caution people on what  NOT to do.