Remember you are using debt to make this investment, not reserves  sitting in your bank account so I recommend a more conservative investment approach. 

Yes - include ALL expenses in your math, including reserves for repairs/maint, capex, turnover, etc.

Income reserves in excess of 6 months living expenses, no consumer debts, leveraged mortgages with no payment coming out of pocket.

This way you can calculate how much you can realistically invest and keep for reserves.

Need a place to store it and this place looks awesome!! 

Also, I have heard success stories of folks finding good contractors at the home improvement stores early in the AM.

They do conduct a background check, credit check, will check cash reserves, and will make sure the borrower is using their funds for business purpose only, but there is less emphasis on the borrower and more on the deal itself. 

I'm a civil engineer, and for example, I do the civil engineering/permitting for many Gas-Station & Convenience Store.

Have a robust cash reserve to handle unexpected vacancies, repairs, or market shifts.Good luck, and I’m excited to hear how your journey progresses!

Do not think you can just start an investment company with 15k (that is reserves only on one property).Work for the next couple of years while you all learn and use your skills to help build the foundation of a future company and leverage your relationship with the alumni to see some of his properties and learn.