I’m in the Peoria area also and have an identical background to yours, except I was with Palm Springs PD in California then moved out here to get into corporate security with CAT.

Also, whatever route you take, keep in mind: if your investors are completely passive you're offering a security and need to work with a securities attorney.Best!

Would I qualify for a first time home buyers grant after my divorce and my name taken off the current mortgage?

Do you charge a security deposit, where do you store the funds?

We were expecting to use the security deposit to help cover some of the costs but the property manager never collected one even though the lease required it.

My dad has mentioned investing with me but is ultimately too risk averse — granted, getting into real estate in your 60s maybe isn’t the best idea.

Useful in that we can discuss here what is and what is not going on.The health warning at the bottom of the first page contains the following.THE COMPANY IS “TESTING THE WATERS” UNDER REGULATION A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 FOR OFFERINGS OF OUR BITS THAT HAVE NOT YET BEEN QUALIFIED BY THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION (SEC) RELATED TO CERTAIN PROPERTIES.

What is the security and guarantees?

You will have to do an LP unless they qualify under the securities laws.

For future deals, only pay security deposit, inspection, appraisal, and engineer cost up front.