Once you've got the stamp of approval from the city, is there any reason the utilities would have a problem from there, or is it typically just a matter of paying whatever crazy fee they require for the work?

Most owner occupied duplexes typically won’t technically cash flow, but spending $400 on ‘rent’ for a $1000 place still seems like a good deal!

Specialty firms typically referred to as IRA facilitators and advisors perform this type of legal service.If you qualify as self-employed and have no full time employees, a Solo 401(k) is also going to provide checkbook control, and as a retirement plan has several advantages over the comparable IRA LLC.

Many of the big name brokerages will typically have good training. 

The goal of a MF sponsor/syndicator (typically) is to return their investor's money within 5 years and deliver IRRs in the north teens or low 20's if you're lucky.

Are private money loans from friends typically "secured" by something?

We're able to leverage our institutional finance + operating backgrounds to make a better product than the typical deal analyzers out there.

Nothing to get thrilled about, but it’s way better then typical savings rates.

Lenders typically allow cosmetic deficiencies. 

Typically I can get 3-5%.