I am too far away to effectively handle the rehab and a good contractor with knowledge of how to handle this kind of loss could make a profit on the situation whereas I will be lucky to break even.

The broker may charge for any/all of the following:- Desk fees (monthly fees for being part of the brokerage, having access to the office, etc)- Commission fees (brokerage may take a percentage of each commission or a fixed amount per transaction)- MLS fees (to get access to the MLS)- E&O fees (this is your broker's insurance against you screwing up a deal)- NAR fees (to be a member of NAR)- Cost of tools (like lockboxes, electronic keys, etc)- Etc...Some brokers charge high monthly fees and a significant percentage of your commission; in return you get a big brand name to associate yourself with (Re/Max, Keller Williams, etc).

Between that and my conversation with an attorney and CPA yesterday, it seems like the regular 501(C)3, with a traditional fundraising model, would be more effective initially.

This will allow you to side-step your competition and be much more effective at finding some high equity deals.Depending on what kind of budget and time you have available to work with, direct mail, advertising and networking can all be huge avenues that will bring you some profitable deals pretty quickly.

I am sure that one in a very similar situation could have found some other creative means to obtain the apartment building, still keep the 401k and have best of both worlds.Roth or traditional, a 401k or IRA is Not money in a hole in the backyard, it is a great tool that can be used to grow it using RE as the vehicle.

And consider the idea that "what goes around comes around, and nit just how that may effect MY life, but do I ensure that what good does come my way continues thru my actions to reward others for the good they are doing.

Learning to operate under significant pressure, crunching numbers, how to effectively manage time and dealing with very angry people.

But I'm curious, and the tax guys can probably give examples, if you are at 155,000 and you have hit a phase out/rule that says you cannot deduct 25,000 in depreciation, isn't your effective tax rate on that last 5,000 over 100%?

Is driving for dollars really effective or is there a better way to find motivated sellers in select areas?

Usually not, unless your contract has wording to that effect.