Well it wasn't properly served and the sheriff sale was confirmed, but he didn't pay the balance so now it has gone into contempt and hearing set. 

Institutional investors have long understood the merits of this asset class, and relied on it to gain stability that balances market uncertainty.

I'm looking for some help with the proper business structure.I understand that flips and rentals are taxed very differently and should ultimately be kept separate.Originally I wanted to buy flips through an LLC (elected to be taxed as an S-Corp) and buy rentals personally.The problem is if I need a commercial/portfolio loan on a rental property the lender would likely require an LLC as well.I wouldn't want to use the flipping LLC since that would muddy the waters and create a "mixed use" situation.

Having bought a house with land in a suburb that's less than 10 minutes away from downtown, I can never see myself moving somewhere without a proper yard anymore.

On the list side, your main job is pricing properly and coordinating showings and offers, which is even easier because a flipped property will be vacant and you are the owner so you don't have to present an offer to anyone but yourself.

Also some conservatism as a balance is not a bad thing either.

Do a thorough and proper background and credit check.

lots of rabbit holes out there and what I call due diligence pump and dump scammers.. prey on mid level developers who have never gotten one of these loans.the borrower falls for the 5 to 20k up front fee to perform so called due diligence and the so called lender never closes.I have seen colleagues of mine blow through 100k looking for CHEAP money when they should have just under stood this kind of money in the Private equity world goes out at 10 to 15% apr period unless you have a local bank that will do it like I do. but even then its one project at a time and uber cautious.. they don't want to go back to the bad ole days were they ended up owning pipe farms.. and they generally will only do these with who they determine are their top tier clients.. you cannot in our market be unknown to the bank.. unless your have that monster balance sheet.but in my mind Socal is ground zero for this kind of money.. 

From my understanding, the deed does not actually transfer to my name until the entire balance is paid.

And how do I ensure that he will take his time and do things properly in a "workman like" manner?