Like kind refers to the use of the property not the nature or type of property. 

That could be criminal in nature, so it is very serious.

If it is you are supposed to have a contractor certified to work with lead paint.

People are more interested in working with people they like and with whom they have something in common.Networking does not come naturally to everyone.

However, the nature of your work for this real estate company matters.

Given that you are an active investor already, this step should come fairly naturally to you. 

I think this strategy has good potential due to the reliable nature of the professionals and the growth in this field. 

My family is from there, so it's a natural place for me to invest.  

here is what i have seen having been in the note business for a few decades.most investors start with the vanilla rental.. they don't start with notes as its not as well known concpet of buy home put tenant in it and collect rent.. that pretty basic right.. plus you can leverage. when people come to us for notes they generally are using thier sidra  ( as you want to have non depreciable assets in a sidra)  they have experince in landlording so they understand being the bank on a rental home but not having to do the heavy lifting and not having to deal with the very tough rules for owner occ notes.. they also may not be accredited so whole notes in first position of a commerical nature .. are very salable and sustainable.  

That is the nature of the beast, it seems like it is perpetually expanding until the rug gets pulled out from under you.