If you use this method you will have a really good shot at finding out the individuality you'll need to find.  

There is always a trade off:  Cash Flow or Appreciation 

Has anyone tried this method?

But I could buy a restaurant, buy the building and sell the restaurant to another entrepreneur, trading my down payment on the property for a great building with a highly leveraged, lower interest commercial loan. 

The questions I have are....What methods of lead generation has been the most effective for you in Cleveland?

In some situations, the lender’s analysis may determine that using alternative rental income calculations or using lease agreements to calculate income are more appropriate methods for calculating the qualifying income from rental properties.

If RE is the way you want to invest, I'd recommend one of 100 other methods to invest in RE, especially starting out.

So, you cannot be the handyperson or hardware store delivery clerk for your IRA's flip transaction.Flipping is also something that is considered a trade or business activity, and if carried on at a regular or repeated basis the gains from such transactions are subject to taxation known as UBTI.  

Cash flow is my end goal, but in order to reach that point where I can afford those kind of properties I'm left with the method mentioned above unless someone can give me any better ideas.Please, anyone reading along this thread; would you please give me some pointers if my mindset is not in the right place or there is a more optimal route I can take.Ideally, I'd like to keep my potential business partner because of the fact that he would cover any labor costs in the present as well as in the future and is giving me full control of the property in terms of tenants, decisions on holding / selling, and what to do to properties in order to appreciate their values.

I am an attorney by trade but like the idea of retiring early through real estate, hard work and discipline.