It is likely that even the initial transaction may be a disqualified party transaction if you have existing joint ventures with this individual.  

We actually got sued and we were never individually named in the suit.

I am excited about connecting to some like-minded individuals here on BP. 

The seller is moving to Florida and first attempted to sell his 9 Durham rentals as a portfolio, which didn't work out, so he began selling them individually.

I feel it's apparently obvious you can avoid foreclosure by paying the bills but it's also apparent that an individual facing foreclosure is obviously past that point.

I decided it was worth my time to delay my "start" until I fully vetted other individuals and their advice.

Success in any endeavor is too individual.  

Ryan,All three of those options are good ones, I have seen individuals build successful real estate careers utilizing those strategy.In short, option 1 is get started as an investor and option 2 & 3 are get started as an industry professional.

They are all rented out by individual construction workers. 

It’s very hard for most individual investors to qualify for millions of dollars in debt.