I have been following Michael Elefante on instagram and have been talking to him and his team as well. 

No team? 

I find it hard to believe that this guy is grossly violating DF and still gets away with it, while running nationwide webinars and adding students to his team.

While there are definitely benefits to running a fund, it's tough to achieve success with funds as a beginner because oftentimes investors are attracted to the track record of the person or team running the fund. 

Places like San Antonio might present more favorable cap rates, from what I read in Forbes recently.Refinancing could free up equity if today’s loan terms are more attrative, though that depends on current interest rates and the property’s updated value.

Nine out of ten years it usually works in your favor, but that one down year could take a big bite out or your ***.  

Trying to assemble a team of investor friendly agent possibly in the Craven County area. 

Some slowed to a walk.When the terrain or wind shifts back into everyone's favor, those sitting on the sidelines will have to recognize the change, then get back on the road.

I believe I hear what you are saying though, for sure -- that it's better, more fair, and more likely to get deals, if you yourself can show up to the table offering something.... in hard cashbut you still have to know how "fix and flip" works, how to renovate something, how to negotiate.... what contracts to do, how long things take.... etcthat was the concept I liked about Gator, is that it's a team that passes that niche off to the other person, who is good at that - and they can all structure deals together.... you have the deal guy.... the money guy.... the fix and flipper guy, etc. -- and they find deals that could be good for all of them - and everyone is helping each otherI think BiggerPockets will be a potentially pretty reliable place - I know that there's different roles, "finders", "buyers", "sellers".... maybe I can just find deals, and connect people together, and get some kind of small finder's fee for it, or something.... ok so that first 10-20k is important to just be able to provide - when getting into this....

.✅ Exploring creative ways to get deals done, even without a ton of upfront capital.I know that success in real estate is a team sport.