If you can't keep control of your personal finances, you are highly unlikely to succeed in real estate investing.

You can control the investments and be a fund manager for your IRA.Plans that offer checkbook control will be much better than hiring a 3rd party custodian to process transactions on your behalf.

You will never get the truth, and you really have no control of it happening again.Don't judge, just record so you may observe later if needed.

In Canada, you are going to have to look for value add opportunities in provinces that don't have rent control. 

If you don't have checkbook control of the IRA, those are probably the most important factors when choosing a custodian.

Risks with a condo rental are even less than a SFR as the condo association is controlling & insuring the common areas.  

., (1964) 42 TC 1067.The Supreme Court has explained that the distinction between co-owners of property and partners depends on whether they intend to and, in fact, join together for the present conduct of an undertaking or enterprise-The following factors are often cited as evidence of this intent:The agreement of the parties and their conduct in executing its terms;The contributions, if any, that each party makes to the venture;Control over income and capital and the right of each party to make withdrawals;Whether the parties are co-proprietors who share in net profits and have an obligation to share losses;Whether business was conducted in the joint names of the parties;Whether the parties held themselves out as joint venturers; andWhether separate books of account were maintained for the venture.The court held that the co-ownership arrangement constituted a partnership for federal tax purposes.

My parents did the best with what they knew and what they had.

It looks like it would be very easy to sell and use the proceeds for the remodel (this is what my non-RE investors and parents tell me).I see renting my old house as a means to pay for my new house's mortgage, while also having equity to borrow for the remodel and future investments.

✓Second Home Requirements must be occupied by the borrower for some portion of the year is restricted to one-unit dwellings must be suitable for year-round occupancy the borrower must have exclusive control over the property must not be rental property or a timeshare arrangement1 cannot be subject to any agreements that give a management firm control over the occupancy of the property must be underwritten in DU and receive an Approve/Eligible recommendation, with the exception of high LTV refinance loans required to be underwritten in accordance with the Alternative Qualification Path (see B5-7-03, High LTV Refinance Alternative Qualification Path).