Some will accept any qualified engineer, some will have a list to choose from and some will have a specific company that they essentially assign.

The first 6% go straight to the investorsNext 6% are split 70/30 favoring investorsRemaining 88% are divided 60/40 favoring investorsHe also takes a modest property management fee: 4% of gross rental incomeBased on our financial assessment of this deal, including all of the above investment brokering + property management fees, he'd essentially be getting 13-14% of gross rental income.Finally, he gets a piece of the action when we sell the property: Net profit (sale price - investors' down payments - outstanding amount on mortgage) is divided 75/25 favoring investorsHow common is this structure in the industry?

It's often worth it in this business because you're able to pack them away from the elements during the long periods that you do not use them and are storing them for the next project.

I essentially want to make enough money where I can purchase property with cash, but I feel it will be a while to get the cash flow from current properties.  

I would then personally estimate the costs and profits and what their maximum purchase price is, etc.....essentially do everything for them haha but really if you ever plan on getting into the game yourself, it will be great practice. 

There are essentially four ways that investment properties make money...Cash Flow, Appreciation, Equity Pay-Down and tax savings (depreciation and in your case, loss from the negative cash flow).  

There is an element to knowing people here.

"it's time otherwise wasted, so it's free labor" the problem is this essentially means you're the contractor. 

Essentially renters feel better about their present financial circumstances than they did in the past and have come to view renting in a more favorable light than the prospect of home ownership.

Thanks, Chris.So essentially as long as the rentals are cash positive, that's the rent is 25% more than the mortgage (since banks use 75% rental income) it would not matter.Let's say if I have a 7/1 ARM and I am on my 5th year, wonder how will banks compute the DTI?