What do people think about creating/using online investment or crowdfunding platforms for raising funds at pre-development and pre-construction stages?

At this income, price point, and stage in life, it doesn't seem like living more frugally to acquire cash flowing investments is a priority, but if it were, one can spend a lot (relatively) on rent or mortgage and still invest in RE.

I am very new to REI, I'm looking for my first deal.I found a nice house in a nice neighborhood that is being auctioned off in 6 days with a ridiculously  small final judgment amount.1) Is it possible to buy from the owner at this late stage?

Here's a graph to illustrate this point:Think of Stage 1 being 2004-2006 at the previous peak.

Add to that all of those trendy top-five articles with clickbait titles—such as "Top Five Must-Haves for Flipping Houses" or "Five Mistakes That Make House Flipping a Flop"—which are difficult to ignore during your research stage, but rarely contain actual helpful advice that you haven't read elsewhere (or know from common sense).

It is a place on the rise and in the early stages of the rise.

You can also assign stages to the open deals you are working on, attach pictures, notes, files, etc.Setting up a good management system when you start is key so take the time and see what works for you.  

Another important factor to consider is that I'm in the final stages of a heloc on the rental property in order to gain access to cash so that when an opportunity presents itself I can act and do things the right way(positive cash flow) because I'm well aware that this has not been something I would do again(wish I would have started with a multi on an FHA but I cant go back.

We now are at the stage of seeking legal recourse to have our monies returned.So, Investors Beware of NICOLAS PAEZ.

Turns out they are now in the beginning stages of a large residential development project.