My guess is that at some point you will pass a threshold where you will need a CRM, it's Inevitable.

He wins, you not so much.I guess it really just depends on how you structure it and how he gets compensated.Everybody on your team, and your partners in particular, have to be rowing in the same direction, and that means you all (as in all y'all) need to have a financial interest in making sure it gets done on time and on budget. 

I don't have much experience in the syndication sphere, but if I were to compare to my guess on the makeup of the average REIA meetup:75% have never done a deal, even if they've been attending the meetups for years25% have done one or two deals5% have done more than 2 dealsSo just doing a few deals puts you at the top end of things, and there are generally just a few at each meetup who thoroughly know what they are doing.I'd imagine the multifamily sphere is much the same, since this breakdown seems to hold true in most industries (even outside of real estate).

Or is it better to rent in NY for the two years and start looking for investment properties elsewhere closer to where we want to be investing long term (I guess another downside here is that you can't use a FHA or VA loan)? 

I guess my location wasn’t showing on my profile.

My guess is since you don't understand property depreciation, that you are likely not claiming other expenses correctly either.

I guess house hunting is not at the top of the list for people who just got off work themselves.

I m guessing this isn’t enough to actually do business and stuffs. 40k.

In the area that I live, I would guess that 99% of the potential buyers won't care about it.

I guess he wasn't making the money he'd hoped to and wanted to get rid of the duplex.