I have spoken to people in my local investor association and I was told to start out with SFR which should yield no less than $30K otherwise it's not worth the time.

All of these may not be triggers for you and me but it may be triggers for other investors.The strategy you had in place is not working -triggerThere were additional costs that the previous owner did not reveal to you -triggerIf you got ripped off by people -triggerIf you partnered with someone and you do not get along or can't agree on nothing - triggerOne of the big employers in the area filed bankruptcy -triggerOne of the big employers in the area decides to move to another city or state -triggerhome owners association is similar to Hitler's gestapo -triggertenants association is unreasonable and troublesomeIf you see another deal that you like better -triggeryou feel the market is going to change -triggerIf the weather changes and suddenly you find that your area is not the same ie drought or flood or mud slide -trigger Insurance increases because of weather change -triggerfound out that the land is contaminated - triggeryou are tired of dealing with the property -triggertenants not paying rent -triggeryou took on more than you can handle -triggerproperty taxes went up -triggergangs in the neighborhood -triggerfamily issues change your priority and you simply cant handle it no more -triggeryour tax abatement has expired - triggertransportation has discontinued in the area -triggerlegislation to put in a new transportation station has been vetoed or approved -triggerthe team (ex contractors, project managers, etc) you tried to put together doesn't work out- triggerillegal activity found on the premises -triggertenants tell you place is haunted and you know someone died on property -triggerdemonic neighborsabundance of pests -triggersink hole formed - triggercess pool discovered -triggerwater contaminationpopulation changeschools accredation changesschools shut downtenants or their family starts shooting at each other or youwrong type of business sets up shop near your property, or they are too close or your comfort. ie gas station or drug dealer or prostitution or cemetery or factorywhatever does not float your boat -trigger

The primary reason you dont want to invest in apartments is because of the Home owner associations (HOA).

I think also there's an emotional risk associated with tying up so much cash into equity.

In terms of an accountant, Harding & Bell Associates are great and Attorney's Manzo & Associates are good. 

(I'm not associate with Michael, but I have used his tool on my deals).

@Nick Tolson No offense meant to Inglewood, just trying to make a point to Eric that two places associated with the same general area (Riviera Maya or LA) can be very different.

Any logical person would see that I followed the process as requested, provided all the necessary documentation, paid all the associated fees, and should be allowed to move forward.

In the Chicago area you should look up the Chicago CIA (Creative Investors Association) It is run by Jane Garvey and her group is a chapter with the National Real Estate Investors Association.

With condos instead of budgeting for major expenses like roof, ext paint, landscaping etc the association takes care of those and you pay the maint fee instead.