Just writing out loud (maybe it will generate more legitimate ideas from others):It seems to me like Land Contract - you take over a master lease for a specified period of time and usually you have to pay something to take over the use of the property for some period of time contractually.

There are plenty of people who invest in Real Estate legitimately by assignment of contract.

And I agree with @Rick Bevilacqua, a legitimate contractor with worker's comp and a crew of 3 could easily cost $1000/day.

one thing to remember this is highly regionalized..... in some parts of the country you can buy with instant equity but its only equity on paper very hard if not impossible to capture. because every other buyer will want to buy with the same metrics you did.. and these rental homes don't get sold to homeowners who pay retail.In high value markets were you actually have home owners buying the homes for retail you have a legitimate exit.. in the rental markets you really don't you may think you bought under market and you may have an appraisal 0n your refi that says so.. but in reality would be near impossible to sell for that appraised amount.if its units like what your talking about 3 units... if the market is saying that 15 Cap is retail then that is what its worth... given risk reward and lack of appreciation potential.In non appreciating markets cash flow and buying right is essential. 

. – the judge will look if XYZ LLC is your alter ego or a legitimate, separate business.

Now is this legitimate or is that an offer on the side?

I know I am stating the obvious but this just strengthens my belief that recent nobel piece prizes are not legitimate.

Probably not, but legitimate deals do not need a high escrow.

I am picky about who I rent to, so once I approve a tenant, I am willing to forgoe a few weeks rent to hold the unit so they can finish out there lease where ever they are moving from or whatever other reason I deam legitimate.

I'm leaning towards turning them down because they don't meet my criteria which is legitimate.