Here is the thread I started a few months back detailing my experience with Growth Equity Group, Brett Immel, and their cronies.https://www.biggerpockets.com/...Subsequently, I've had dozens of investors come to me directly, many of them having phone conversations with me, stating how they lost most or all of their retirement funds.

@Eamon Conheady - was the other lender a company or a private individual? 

Of course, with private lenders, you must give up equity or a return on the debt. 

Do you want a tenant to pay on time... do you want them to treat the property good... do you want them to stay for multiple years... than why not have a conversation with them about putting in the 220?

So, I DON'T trust my ability to determine someone's character based on a few minute casual conversation and I DO trust my ability to manage even difficult tenants. 

Quote from @Michael Smythe: Besides MANY self-labeled "gurus" exaggerating their success, many of them just supply readily available info.If you're too busy to find the info and are willing to pay for it, no problem as you accept their time vs money solution.REGARDING S8 GURU ISSUES SPECIFICALLYMost of them don't share all the facts about how Section 8 actually works.They claim you can get HIGHER rent from S8 tenants vs private-paying tenants.Why would the government allow our tax dollars to be spent this way?

Immediately, I performed a Roth conversion, and instead of paying taxes on $50K I'm paying taxes only on $21K.

Just make sure you are not installing this in lieu of linen closet if there's space restrictionsExterior: Landscaping, Fencing & Walkways: Don't have to spend a lot on landscaping but make sure yard is fenced, clear of debris,  private and secure.

The other quesiton i have is if private equity is starting to get involved in this market, companies like Apollo & Carlyle, does that change your feelings about getting involved in the space?

I see some conservative areas here who would traditionally support private property rights coming down heavy against STRs.