I want to be able to eventually invest in real estate and become financially independent.

They are going to put in a certain amount of work and their own money on marketing, photos, their overhead costs (agents are independent contractors who pay their own E&O and health insurance, income taxes, MLS dues, NAR dues, continuing ed requirements, etc., etc. all out of their commissions before they get to keep any $), their time, etc. then they also have to split anything they make with their brokerage. $4k would be losing money for me but again it sounds like a lower cost of living area.   

Some of the cautions:The fraudsters – who may or may not be affiliated with the company – persuade independent life insurance agents to sell promissory notes, luring them with lucrative commissions of up to twenty or even thirty percent.

If it wasn't fraud but simple incompetence (and he lost the money), then that isn't a crime and your options are more limited.Your legal contract (and/or the state laws the entity was incorporated in...depending on where) most likely requires the sponsor to share books and records with you (so you can at least know what happened).

You should look into DSCR Loans - many investors like yourself typically move to this loan product once they max out with DTI/qualifying conventionally - a bit higher in rate than conventional mortgages - but no DTI ratio or tax returns/income verification makes a much easier qualification process and LLCs are 100% ok (even as sole owner) and actually often preferred.PS - published a 10-part article series here on BP last year on everything you'd want to know on these loan types - sharing links below, hope it can help!

You can learn to do this independently or get a rockstar REALTOR to lead the way.

My wife and I own and operate 23 senior living communities (assisted living, memory care, and independent living) across Colorado and we are now expanding into Arizona. 

A cap rate is independent of debt and assumes you have accurate expenses which you'll almost never find on residential property.

I think you're answer is one of the hardest yet important things people need to do to become not only financially independent but happier in life

I am currently reading "Long Distance Real Estate Investing", by David Green (published by Bigger Pockets) and decided to apply some of the analysis to a currently listed deal on NORADA.