There are numerous factors that could affect overall returns and a thorough DD process will help uncover these.

The benefits of them are numerous as well over stocks. 

proximity to arterials,  property layout, etc.If  you put up a fence to reduce people entering and crossing your property from all directions,  and your building is in an area that has graffiti or street crime issues,  make sure its a chainlink fence,  or a low one,  or otherwise not an "attractive nuisance" that invites tagging or can hide undesirable activity.   

You question indicated numerous people involved in this particular business plan and is covered under the LLC as well in the ability of 'unlimited owners' (people involved). 

If you did get a fee, I'm sure it needs to be disclosed to the client.Most of the time I never even get an invite to coffee or lunch.What I do though is vet the lender....in my best attempts to get them the absolutely best deal on their loan ever.I look at closing statements all the time, so I see the fees and I see the interest rates.I regularly save my clients thousands of dollars and I let them know.

Garrison Weiner helps me on numerous of my deals.

There are numerous strategies that we are using right now, including but not limited too... short term rentals, medium-term rentals, rent by the room, and making more than one rentable space in a single-family.The easiest and most approachable way for you to get started in my opinion would be to utilize that equity in your primary (or if you have some capital saved up) and move into a new primary residence and keep your current place as a rental.

Brokers are familiar with the numerous lenders and their policies.

After speaking with numerous agents, I found a group I thought would be helpful.

As you grow and this works out you will not NEED their capital and then simply do for yourself.Focus on long term CASH FLOW, not on the transactional side of RE...Flips are GREAT, but keep in mind that is a JOB..every time you flip a property you need to make sure you have another one ready to start to do it all over again.Work for YOURSELF by leveraging what you already know and have in place, invite others to INVEST with you IF YOU NEED THEM..DONT go to work FOR THEM, you dont need that