We are looking for access to the MLS and the other financial benefits of one of us being an agent when we want we are buying, selling or wanting to look at properties. 

And if I really wanted stock long term I'd sell to get me over this hump and buy again later.

I think your right about some of us being black and white when it comes to what we want to invest in.

After seeing the home his friend decided not to move forward so they ended up selling to us. Being

I now have owners who are install USB capable outlets in the kitchens and/or master bedrooms.

Your comments seem a little strong, for us being strangers and from Hawaii, but not a problem.  

Give them a 3 day eviction notice early so that they can seek the help of a non-profit rent assistance company to help get them over the hump and keep them in their unit. 3) Do not waive the rent yourself because it is unfair to the other tenants who pay on time, point them in the direction of agencies who can help them.

I have a partner on some of my properties but it's a little different of a situation, although it was based on one of us being able to take the mortgage and the other one having the cash.Man, I love Topanga!!

I am thinking this would be in an LLC with each of us being 50% partners.

That said, there's quite a bit of 'getting over the hump' that would be needed though as this area and the immediate to the east area is one of the 4/5 areas around town that I still see a decent amount of interspersed blight.My view though is that there are some socioeconomic challenges with the area you are describing and its not close enough to downtown (almost, but not quite) to enjoy the upward and frankly much more desirable benefits of proximity from a long term equity perspective.I think if you do pull up the crime maps you will see some of those challenges.All this said though the macro picture of Des Moines is very solid, in my view, so if you get something for the right price I'd jump on it.