Feel free to invite friends. 

I have a fairly detailed budget and I’m working with a family friend contractor that’s helping me with everything.

context- one family offered 2k and a single individual wants to negotiate to 1700.

(An electronic one a friend realtor could open and she returned it to its owner.)  

Additionally, are there any markets that are particularly friendly for new investors?

The neighboring property owners are great people and love having the event business there.....Event business:Cash flow positive ($250K/year) - revenue is mainly from their budget friendly event business and nightly rental of guest rooms at the venue.

I like individuals as well, so long as they aren't overburdened with too much other stuff.

umbrella policy is usually associated with your individual coverage. it's a secondary policy in case the first one is not enough.   

An orchard or a vineyard is a systematic planting of fruit and nut-bearing trees or grapevines as opposed to individual plantings for ornamental purposes.

.- It's cheaper to fly friends and family in who know what they are doing, pay for their food and flight, and get help then hire it out.