There are benefits and negatives to both ways of doing it.

Each of which offer different levels of risk, benefit, and effort, and they also vary in locations.

You will gain a TON of knowledge and who knows - maybe you'll even find a partner or two.Knowing that there is a resource available to me that offers advice on pretty much any REI question has been a huge benefit to me and my business.Investing in multifamily properties by using as little of my own money as possible is my game.

They’re investing –and benefiting – alongside people with the same interests: homeowners.

hi karl. sounds like you actually have a good start here in this business. bill is partly right. of all the answers here, i think he has some good advice. that being said, you need the think outside of the box here. you said you will have $80k into the place if you fix it up to basic standards, and it would be worth $150k. ok, those numbers are great. but here is an idea you don't seem to be considering. you own the house free and clear. no mortgage to anyone. you and your buddy want cash out of the deal. then your only option right now that really makes sense is to finish the place to basic standards, go refinance the place for what the bank will lend you, split that money and then rent the place out to make the payments. you get the benefit of getting all your money back, plus a few buck on the side i would bet, and when you rent it out, the tenant is making your payments. whats wrong with that idea???

Don't leave income on the table just because you will be taxed on it.3) Most real estate expenses are deductible in the year you pay them, especially if the benefit is immediate (like a utility payment or property tax).4) Some expenses are prorated through the life of the improvement, such as depreciable buildings and roof repairs.

So let's say you do raise rents to $750 like you believe you can (and do check Rentometer to confirm) you're indirectly eliminating the water bill.

{C-Corp or LLC (pending elections)} which will own the property - in turn you will be a direct or indirect {via a Canadian corporation}, share owner of this company.  

I want to get my license to gain additional education as well as the other benefits for personal investing in residential properties.

And I have accounts with 5 local credit unions as well (Lines of Credit, checking/savings, business).Business accounts with Wells Fargo in addition to the others.Each has their place and benefit, I try to maximize each ones benefits, not just limit myself to one or two.