If I might throw on my optimism hat though, once they fully move all of the SEAL teams down to the new Naval Coastal Campus from Coronado, the government's attention to the issue *ought* to be higher than ever considering that these guys are out in the water a lot and when you have a state-of-the-art training facility for our elite forces being influenced by polluted water, this becomes a national security issue.  

I have had a few interesting conversations with 2-3 people in my circle of influence that want to participate in REI, specifically my recent success, but they are both gun-shy in committing to any specific "complex" real estate deal, and have sub-$5,000 amounts they are wanting to commit.Without getting too much into the minutia of their mindsets and arguments, it is important to note that they are willing to give a much smaller amount of money for advertising and, in return, are expecting a faster, albeit, higher risk return through wholesale deals obtained during that time frame.My actual question for you is: have you ever structured any kind of private funding "deal" that officially goes towards your marketing in exchange for a piece of the net profits for (insert time period)?

Rob, calling other people's work/offer's to help crap isn't the best way to make friends and influence them.

Call it influence or persuasion or even negotiations. 

@Michael Calor Definitely.

As a small operator I will no longer do TI without a client direct influence.

Some of the factors that may influence your decision: extensive presence of a particular asset class in the area where you reside, or where you’d like to reside.

How has technology shaped and influenced marketing to this niche?

My advice, do not be influenced by fear mongering.

Do not allow fear of the boogie man influence your operations.