., if you are assured about the future health of your portfolio (including all your 100% owned properties), then why would you be scared to personally guarantee being able to pay back a first mortgage for your next property?

I can pretty much guarantee that the IA properties will be better than the IL properties as far as return goes due to higher taxes in IL and less desirable living areas.

Each of my properties is under its own llc. you do make a good point about even distributions, but you can have one yearly distribution, or loss. llc's income/ loss are reported on personal tax returns. you can write a check whenever you need the money, if it is available. this is from Entrepreneur Members are compensated using either distributions of profit or guaranteed payments.

I told him if I could find properties with guaranteed 35% returns that I would just buy them for myself, and I would also retire right now.

Blinds.com has a good selection of blinds, solid guarantees, and great customer service.Tile can be slippery.Renters can hurt themselves on almost anything.  

Is there a guarantee to success?

It does not guarantee it's records in themselves are accurate or current.If there were unpaid property taxes, the tax lien could have been sold.

The woman I am working with said that with the current market, she thinks the bank will refinance but can’t guarantee anything.

Holding on to it pretty much guarantees I am losing money other than the tax advantages and future appreciation/loan payoff.  

I think if you break every item into a separate contract, it will cost you more money, as the contractor will not have the guarantee of all of the work and thus charge accordingly (i.e. setup and hassle charges for each task).