Using the equity in your home via a heloc/2nd mortgage is an option, but your home will be at risk if your deal goes sideways and youre unable to make the payments.

Before looking to buy a center check who the owner of the center is and inquire with surrounding attorneys about their dealings ( on the streets ).

What matters is how the deal is structured in reality, not what it is called. 

I'm certainly hoping for this, as I'm invested in two apartment deals that have been struggling in the suburbs near Phoenix.A post like this is a great way to meet local investors and agents, and you can always visit the Phoenix Market Page to learn more about the market, and begin browsing deals for sale in the area.

Even a marginal real estate deal will often look better over time if you stick with it.

The alternative is to find a seasoned investor in the location where you plan to invest, work out an agreement with them to bring their money, time, expertise, relational capital, systems, etc. to a deal you bring to them, and let them show you the process from beginning to end.

I'm not worried about finding the next deal or anything and as far as management goes, Florida doesn't require any license for self managing.

Where are you finding cashflow deals in Ohio?

But, if you have clear evidence that fraud was committed, you may have legal action against GP, but this is typically hard to prove, and likely going to be costly for you to pursue, and if the deal is already failing, there likely isn't much of anything left to collect anyways.

Just posted a deal I will be doing in STR.