I've been burned by zoning and building departments in a few Rhode Island cities and towns.

I was so scared to get burned that I just sat on numbers for 2+ years. 

The old adage that pigs get fat and hogs get slaughtered applies here.

If they have done as much damage as they have in 3 months, we fear there will be nothing left but ruins in another 30 days if they don’t burn the place down before we’re done with this nightmare.

Hey Team, I took the plunge and went PRO, Similar to Cortez burning his ships I am here to stay so I better make it work.I am curious about creating a Corporation. 

It's very easy to get burned when flipping a house, even if you know what you're doing. 

Dave Ramsey, a financial guru who I'm sure you've heard of, talks about how he got burned on his real estate investments when the banks called his loans during a previous real estate crash.  

If you are burning through cash reserves right now whatever you do don't get rid of $1k worth of passive income!

Step 4 Buy houses that may need work but not total guts or burn jobs.

If it were my friend, I'd do what I can because getting burned in the short term by a friend who may not hold up his end of the deal will sting a lot less than not trying to help and much worse things happening, in my opinion.