Following this discovery, he promptly contacted his attorney to dissolve the LLC.Additional Questionable Entities:Dogwood Capital InvestmentsM&M Capital Finance LLCKey Takeaways:Conduct Thorough Research: Always verify a company's registration with state and local authorities.Scrutinize Documentation: Examine identification and corporate documents closely for inconsistencies.Verify Contact Information: Ensure that all provided phone numbers and addresses are legitimate and connected to the entity.Be Cautious with Payment: Avoid wiring funds without extensive verification of the recipient's identity and legitimacy.While the majority of direct and private lenders operate ethically, even a single fraudulent interaction can damage your reputation and finances.

Since you mention you have a partner, setting up an operating agreement is key to defining roles, responsibilities, and profit splits to avoid conflicts down the road.A few key tips to protect yourself:✅ Use separate bank accounts and keep finances clean✅ Get the right insurance (general liability + builder’s risk)✅ Have a solid contract with contractors to avoid surprises✅ Always verify permits and city regulations to stay compliantI still strongly advise you to work with local professionals, I’m happy to point you in the right direction!

I had the owner of my local branch doing mine.

Connecting with local investors, lenders, and mentors can also help you find creative financing opportunities to get your first deal done.Good luck!

What’s required for success in this is deep knowledge of real estate in general and the area in particular; experience in real estate and the local laws, etc.; and capital to pay for options, marketing, legal counsel, accounting, tax advise, etc.  

I would recommend looking for local FB investor groups, most areas have them!

I'm curious as to how this has affected everyone's local market.

We only lend to experienced rehabbers who have been doing this full-time and locally.

Sometimes cities will allow this, but it depends on local zoning rules.If neither option works, it might be worth consulting a real estate attorney to explore your options.

Are you targeting your local market/city?