For any kind of investing that will be time sensitive, involve multiple assets, or assets that generate a lot of transaction activity, these checkbook plans will be much more efficient and effective in terms of time, paperwork and expense.As I noted, there are several quality providers of both types of services here on BP.

I really want to get involved in Real Estate Investing with Rental Homes first, after a few, add a couple vacation properties, then may a few commercial units.

Now that I have seen ither fees involved with hiting a property management company, it seems like that 10% will be much more.I added in leasing, renewal, and setup fees, in addition to the 6-10% management fee.

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. 

On the other hand, I feel that some of their other funds (for example the ones involving ground up construction) are too speculative for a conservative non-accredited investor doesn't have a lot of extra cash to speculate with.

Don’t get involved in their life.

I had 1 transaction with 2 agents involved , long and slow .

The management of vacation or short term rentals tends to gravitate toward the active business side of the equation and that is the real problem with you taking on that level of involvement for your IRA or 401k.

The things that should be in the contract are:The address of the house and legal descriptionThe parties involved:  the seller and yourselfThe price that you are buying it forYour contract is assignableSignatures and dateDeposit amountAny contingency clause(s)

I'm reading all of this (only about half way through) and there is nearly a dozen major violations the company I used to work for are involved in.