@Hobie Day, crazy how an old thread can gain new life when people come across it.

I'm an out-of-state "newbie" investor looking at a specific apartment investment opportunity (passive LP) in Houston.

While telling a friend about the business I created, he says he wants to throw in some of his own money as a passive investor in order to turn a profit on some cash laying around.  

I'm looking at a promising flip in Vermont, but I read that the state of VT charges a cap gains tax.

Could you define:- ballpark expectations on return- time horizon, how liquid you need it to be- how passive?

Enough landlords used blanket-type policies that would exclude someone with a silly retail-theft charge from 20 years ago, that the lawmakers are gaining traction in some areas in banning background checks all together (even for murderers).

Increasing your active income with Real Estate can help you get to your passive income goals faster. 

For the down payment I can sell stocks and pay cap gains, (which I don't really want to do) or cash out refi our 1) primary or 2) long term rental (or 3) Both).

I want to also help others how to gain and have homeownership once I have a home.  

;)That being said, I've decided it could be a good passive income for me to offer my experience and expertise to other hosts on short-term rental sites.