I have some problems with entitlement programs, the takeover of commercial ventures, and where this could go as it gets under steam.It is hard to "give him a chance" to make a difference when you see such mistakes being made.Aside from that, lets stop the personal attacks here.

So, let's use Option Contract, Assignable Option Contract, Sandwich Lease or Sub-Letting or Assignable Lease and search for those here on BP.Being in the Real Estate business means, as with any other business venture, that you have a certain amount of inventory, be that widgets to sell or things you consume to do business.

Nick, I would venture to guess someone else track record will probably not help you much.

The numbers as stated were decent (neither great nor bad) but I decided that I would pass on it because I do not operate in that area and it would need to be a killer deal for me to venture outside the Phoenix area.

And a lot of it was from flipping ventures. 

I dont know if I would compare it to stock investing clubs but yeah with partnerships and joint ventures.

Find yourself a mentor, joint venture partner, consultant, etc. that you trust.

Joint venture with a transaction lender.

Do you feel that the initial conditions for where one starts are highly correlated with whether or not the person spends the bulk of their time working for someone else instead of risking capital in a business venture?

Your advise will be a big help to my first venture in first realty investment.