I know a really good guy personally who built up his company from frostburg

You would get the rest of your assignment fee at closing.4. take assign contract and deposit to title company so new buyer and your fee will be on HUD1.5. wait for closing to get your money.That is how I do it.Hope this has given you some clarity.I know this post is years old...but when you get the $1000 deposit from the buyer, do you have them give you a check or something personally or do you meet at the title company and have that $1000 deposit held with the title company?

This particular strategy was personally told to me by Jimmy while we were driving from Phoenix to Las Vegas in the early 1980s to attend a real estate exchangers conference and exchange session.   

For background this is my first investment and I own the property personally not with an LLC or anything of that nature. 

I personally would put down 20 percent and keep the rest of my cash, even if it meant I wasn't "making money" in the beginning.

When you get them on the phone setup a time to do a zoom call, see how they do business, who the connections are they have, and if you get to know them through those conversations and feel good go meet them in person.

However, the person you spoke with has a good point.

@Grant Vincent Personally, I prefer to stay at a place that's 100% wood inside, no drywall and no paint, because I want it to be as dissimilar to home as possible.

There will always be more risk with something vacant, you're probably going to be counting on one person as your "eyes" on the project (or at least for "security", overall)- and the more hands on/ closer they live / able to visit site frequently, the better. whether that is your gc, a project or property manager, or your handyman/even yard maintenance guy, neighboring teenager, or whoever- this person is key

It is a legal question, so I recommend finding a Landord attorney in your state to form a relationship with for such questions.