I've found that might be a little too much, but I'm not inclined to change it right now.  6% might be pretty much on target, but it does depend on the location (some areas simply have harsher conditions and also might be more expensive for repairs) and the age and condition of the property.  

I'm attempting to be conservative with the numbers and not put the ARV much higher after I do the fixes, although I believe it would probably go up a little.

If I am attempting to purchase a property I wouldn't have any taxes to show for it.

I simply paid it out full 3-6 months later. 

The mail carrier has attempted delivery twice and now the mail piece is on its way back to me, "unclaimed."

It is simply a means to diversify your savings into an asset that you may understand better and have more control over.For you to have access to the funds personally, you would need to take a distribution, which will involve federal and state taxes, as well as a 10% penalty for early distribution if you are under age 59 1/2. 

It seems you would be on the very front line of not only knowing what which properties were in default/foreclosure but would also see these properties first hand.Also, (changing gears) I have been offered a position to search within the default list in my area and attempt to approach the owner(s) of these homes with the intent to do a Cash for Keys transaction.

I suggested Pro Schools (online ed) simply because they are the original company that offered classes and the biggest and the website is super easy to use. 

I'm an agent and I remember when I first started, I was with a primarily residential oriented company & I attempted to explain syndications to my broker and he literally said, "I have no idea what you're talking about." haha...

Here are the laws in regards to this stuff.4735.01 [Effective Until 3/20/2019] Real estate broker definitions.As used in this chapter:(A) "Real estate broker" includes any person, partnership, association, limited liability company, limited liability partnership, or corporation, foreign or domestic, who for another, whether pursuant to a power of attorney or otherwise, and who for a fee, commission, or other valuable consideration, or with the intention, or in the expectation, or upon the promise of receiving or collecting a fee, commission, or other valuable consideration does any of the following:(1) Sells, exchanges, purchases, rents, or leases, or negotiates the sale, exchange, purchase, rental, or leasing of any real estate;(2) Offers, attempts, or agrees to negotiate the sale, exchange, purchase, rental, or leasing of any real estate;(3) Lists, or offers, attempts, or agrees to list, or auctions, or offers, attempts, or agrees to auction, any real estate;(4) Buys or offers to buy, sells or offers to sell, or otherwise deals in options on real estate;(5) Operates, manages, or rents, or offers or attempts to operate, manage, or rent, other than as custodian, caretaker, or janitor, any building or portions of buildings to the public as tenants;(6) Advertises or holds self out as engaged in the business of selling, exchanging, purchasing, renting, or leasing real estate;(7) Directs or assists in the procuring of prospects or the negotiation of any transaction, other than mortgage financing, which does or is calculated to result in the sale, exchange, leasing, or renting of any real estate;(8) Is engaged in the business of charging an advance fee or contracting for collection of a fee in connection with any contract whereby the broker undertakes primarily to promote the sale, exchange, purchase, rental, or leasing of real estate through its listing in a publication issued primarily for such purpose, or for referral of information concerning such real estate to brokers, or both, except that this division does not apply to a publisher of listings or compilations of sales of real estate by their owners;(9) Collects rental information for purposes of referring prospective tenants to rental units or locations of such units and charges the prospective tenants a fee.