As long and complex as it is, it seems to create a greater air of legitimacy and a level of comfort for the seller.  

Hi @Kevin Polite, you could probably spend anywhere from $5000 to $8000 for this, and possibly more, depending on the complexity of the layout of the existing area and how the new vaulted/cathedral ceiling will be framed in.

In less than a decade I will sell my liability (personal residence) and buy an apartment complex with tax free proceeds.

Opinions on purchasing apartment complexes instead of multiple houses?

And there are a few ways to accomplish "no money down investing," that are too complex to put in a quick answer here. 

My long term goal would be to build passive income and retire early (at 55) using a  different investment vehicle, possible mortgage notes, they seem complex and quite fascinating.  

As to gurus, my dad recently told me that if he could attend some clinic and learn or see something different (actually, marching into different formations can be rather complex moving 120 players around) that it was worth the price of the book or clinic and they were not cheap.Good ideas are valuable, so long as they can be replicated by others, are compliant and fit into ethical business practices.

When I was younger, I did this and my apt complex let me off the hook once the apt was re-rented.

The process of renting here is more complex than buying elsewhere.  

There are 4-5 brand new apartment complexes going up in that Lindbergh MARTA pocket along Piedmont.