Check out www.securityproductsnow.com this website has some alternatives for self-defense items...

For the estate there's time delay - public nature - expense as well as the dynamics involved in probate and the mixed emotions the family is going through.

After doing this flip I am currently working on I realized that it is second nature and very easy for me. 

As an alternative to a 203k you can look into a Fannie Mae Homestyle Renovation loan for the repairs. 

Living cheaply while the hubby is on deployment :) Honestly the military's transient nature is the best kept secret.

I recommend that anybody who is a landlord of property in Philadelphia should join HAPCO; HAPCO is a landlord organization that happens to offer the services of an eviction attorney at reasonable prices.And regarding utilities - in Philadelphia PGW (natural gas) and Water Revenue Bureau can bot place a lien on a property if those utilities go unpaid, even if the lease requires that the tenant make those payments.  

Alternatively if Randy does not care if he has a recorded mortgage then there is no problem with him being on title even if he is a lender.

Outside of the above, a private lender may also be an alternative for you.  

Alternately, use your contracting skills as what you're bringing to the table. 

Talk to your lawyer about your specific situation but generally the jurisdiction of your fund will be a natural result of the structure you choose and where you and your investors are located (in some industries it might be focused on a global hot spot for the industry).