2) If two partners were doing a STR deal, and Partner A is the money partner (puts name on loan, and provides down payment) and Partner B is the active manager.

@ cati@Catie Fihn simplest solution, increase rents to justify the utility amounts... alot easier to have tenants pay 1 monthly payment vs having to reimburse different bills. just my experience..

I also have the option of a purchase mortgage with a pledge of the down payment from investments but don’t have to actually put the money down, vs a conventional.

A significant down payment reduces the risk of default.

I will share my "Most Expensive Lesson" in the comments.To kick things off, here are ten examples of expensive lessons or mistakes in real estate investing:Underestimated Repairs: The classic pitfall where the cost of repairs and renovations far exceeds initial estimates, impacting the overall budget and profitability.Tax Liens: Failing to account for or being unaware of existing tax liens on a property can result in unexpected financial burdens.Contractor Liens: Not settling payments or disputes with contractors can lead to liens against your property, complicating sales or refinancing.HOA Fines: Overlooking or violating Homeowners Association (HOA) rules can lead to significant fines and headaches.Bad Loan Products: Opting for loan products without fully understanding their terms can lead to unfavorable financial conditions, such as higher interest rates or unfavorable repayment terms.Ignoring Zoning Laws: Investing in a property without a clear understanding of local zoning laws may restrict its use, affecting your investment strategy.Overpaying for a Property: Lack of research or getting caught in a bidding war can result in paying much more than the property's worth.Neglecting Due Diligence: Skipping thorough inspections and background checks can uncover unpleasant surprises after the purchase is finalized.Poor Tenant Screening: Failing to properly screen tenants can lead to unpaid rent, property damage, and costly evictions.Underestimating Market Risk: Not considering market fluctuations can lead to investments that don't pay off as expected, especially in volatile or declining markets.We've all been there in one way or another, facing setbacks that seemed daunting at the time.

Consolidating through Student Aid gov will only let me add the 2.14% loans to one of the $20k loans and lower it to 6.5% but that isn't going to make a huge difference and it makes no sense.By the time I've paid it off I'll have paid up to $110k and it is really getting to me that I feel it hasn't even paid down from $50k over the last 5 years of $300 monthly payments.

Out of state can be difficult if you don’t have a reliable team in place.

How about constantly late payments?

Make sure to keep receipts/invoices of repairs or payments you have made to help with taxes. 

No matter what, if this is your first investment property deal, you will have to have some "skin in the game" with anywhere from a 10% to 25% down payment, plus closing costs and required reserves.