Following are the similarities and differences between the solo 401k and the self-directed IRA.The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k Similarities Both were created by congress for individuals to save for retirement;Both may be invested in alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals tax liens, promissory notes, private company shares, and stocks and mutual funds, to name a few;Both allow for Roth contributions;Both are subject to prohibited transaction rules;Both are subject to federal taxes at time of distribution;Both allow for checkbook control for placing alternative investments;Both may be invested in annuities;Both are protected from creditors;Both allow for nondeductible contributions;Both are prohibited from investing in assets listed under I.R.C. 408(m); andNeither may be invested in your own business. 

The one drawback of crowd funding for many people is that they are not in control/managing it.

What about other expenses such as lawn care, snow removal, pest control?  

We want to put our work ethic to the test and control our destiny and as such our income.

Or some external factor out of your control like a huge company moving in closeby could raise property values and rents, or an oil spill could really screw things up. 

Control everything you are responsible for until you can support somebody else.  

Taxes, property management fees, insurance, heating (this old building uses oil heating), 10% of rent per year to maintenance, snow removal, pest control, etc add up to ~$29,000/yr.

I am 100% control of my investments this way and don't have to worry about foreclosing on an NPN.

People act as it I control taxes and insurance and they can't afford to pay that much or at least some shining stars have done me that way.

Here are the two analyses: Initial Investment Purchase Price $89,000.00 Closing Costs $2,225.00 Renovation Costs(allegedly turn key) $3,000.00 Total Investment Costs $94,225.00 Financing Costs Down Payment (%) 20.00% Down Payment ($) $17,800.00 Mortgage Balance $71,200.00 Annual Interest Rate 4.00% Loan Term (months) 360 Total Invested Capital $23,025.00 Fixed Monthly Operating Expenses P&I $339.92 Financing Charges $0.00 Administration Fees $12.50 Property Taxes $197.08 Homeowners Insurance $111.86 HOA Fees $0.00 Fixed Monthly Total Costs $661.36 Variable Monthly Operating Expenses Property Management $157.50 Advertisements/Referrals $65.63 Vacancy & Collection Losses $131.25 Capital Expenditures Replacement Fund $50.00 General Maintenance Fund $50.00 Temporary Utilities $10.00 Pest Control (Optional) $0.00 Lawn Care (Optional) $0.00 Total Variable Expenses $464.38 Total Monthly Expenses $1,125.74 Annual Operating Expenses $13,508.86 Operating Income Monthly Market Rent $1,575.00 Annual Gross Revenue $18,900.00 Monthly Profit (or Loss) $449.26 Annual Net Profit (or Loss) $5,391.14I present to you such a thorough analysis in the attempt to make sure I'm not making any glaring mistakes!