I have stopped investing in stocks for a while due to my immediate focus of a cash dump for a house. 

With a full-service property management company, you should be focused on establishing an annual budget and periodic update calls to track the progress. 

I cannot speak directly to the Houston market as I am primarily focused in NH and MA, but I figured I'd share some insights and thoughts I have based on what you've said.First, you do not have to be handy to successfully complete a fix-and-flip, AND, you don't initially have to have any contract contacts.

These aren't issues that are specific to flipping and should be a primary focus for any real estate investment - The bottom line is that you made a profit despite the challenges you faced - and congratulations for that - but it seems to the bystander that you gambled with another investor's money while investing very little of your own - you put yourself in the position of a teacher or mentor when in fact you are not extremely experienced in the business of flipping - consider how you would feel if you lost a portion of your partner's investment....Today I am closing on the purchase of my 15th flip for the year, and I wouldn't dream of taking on an investment partner who wasn't equally experienced and had an equal say in the decision process.Good Luck with your future projects and Happy Investingjeff 

I could also do it as a fix & flip, but that honestly hasn't been my focus.

And, I'm attending a meetup tonight focused on commercial / multi-family!

Anyway - Were still evaluating these and it will happen, just not yet (and Im not looking to syndicate either).The whole point I'm making, DON'T loose focus on your backyard.

Maybe it is perseverance or blind determination, but whatever you call it, that is the most powerful thing I learned. 

In this episode, Paul shares three powerful reasons why multifamily might just be the most perfect real estate investment.

I have a unique situation wherein the property is owned by 5 siblings and they all agreed they want the oldest sibling to sign everything on their behalf, so they want to complete a power of attorney form to give him the right to sign.