Typically it is higher end areas with a lot of traditional consumer demand that see appreciation so if you're buying in lower end rental areas, you might not benefit.

And in order to demonstrate this to the community, I take the approach of sharing my insights and information I gather freely for everyone to view and consume. 

This can lead to independent references that may show a fuller picture than the pre-screened references mentioned in #1 above.5) Check independent rating and consumer protection web sites, but always take small numbers of reviews with a grain of salt (whether positive or negative).6) Ask them how and what they would recommend for your particular situation. 

It makes the job a little less time-consuming so I can concentrate on the more important things like actuAlly talking to sellers. 

I don't want to waist anyone's time with mentorship (if you find that time consuming) I just want to shadow someone, learn by watching someone.

There is an excellent book on the subject THE SELF DIRECT IRA HANDBOOK by Mat Sorensen 

Changing lightbulbs, furnace filters and batteries are tenant consumables...they are not "maintenance".  

I have been a silent participant, consuming a lot of information like the podcasts, forums etc.

The bad news, it seems to me, is that you've probably grossly underestimated the project you've gotten yourself in to (There is no such thing as a 100+ year old structure that requires anything other than deeply involved, technical work)Making matters worse, if your 'partner' has put his own money into the project, and is due some kind of compensation... and you don't have a clear contract... buying him out and putting the project on the right track is going to be costly, time consuming, and painful.But, as a wise man once told me - both pain and pleasure are magnified by delay. 

Sub2 may be considered an extension of credit, as it's an installment sale to a consumer buyer.