Small sample sizes like what we speak about isn't the full picture of course and is region-specific. 

You can likely skip the large regionals and national banks.

Definitely a new mirror, maybe something with some unique shape and not just rectangular.

Greensboro was of interest, in addition to some of the neighboring regions (Angier, Dunn, Wendell, etc.) 

Often small local banks have easier rules to deal with than large national or regional banks.

Sellers don’t yet have to take massive discounts…Unless they have unique motivations to do so.

That's the same group who licenses real estate agents, and authorizes training for the real estate industry.If a Realtor® in your state has a disclosure form that they commonly use discussing mold or other environmental issues, then your decision to NOT use one makes your transaction "unique" and may also open you up to certain liabilities.  

You'll learn a lot from each of them, tap into their network of contacts that you can use later either to invest further with them or to go out on your own, and you'll be diversified both across regions and products.

While there is no bright line on what makes an active or passive investor (in order to differentiate between a securities offering versus a JV), someone who is active is first and foremost a business partner and is actively contributing a unique skill.

It is a very personal choice and their own unique path.