Friends, maybe I can clarify my position a little.

I also have geologist friends in the field and considered throwing them some cash and letting them do their thing, but drilling can cost millions and wouldn’t provide diversification, so i am not on that level.For mining operations, the only one I could find was Klondike Strike by Red Cloud.

Here are a couple recent ones:https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/12/topics/587565-anyone-knows-james-mourine-or-mourine-jameshttps://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/49/topics/595905-lender-scam-warning-north-carolinaOn the other hand, if you do know the private lender well (friend/family member) then they're likely well-intentioned. 

Can anyone recommend a contractor who has or is working with investors/flippers. 

I am looking for 2-3 Investor Friendly Real Estate Agents in the Bay Area/ Silicon Valley.

Between the renter and my friend I am only paying around $300 for the mortgage.

I currently have a spouse and close friend who will be investing with me. 

New to investing and my first property is a triplex in Alamogordo NM that I bought from a friend for $50k(seller finance) who wants out of the real estate business.

I began to try to harness some of my "how to win friends and influence people" dogma and told him that I could possibly provide him with a completely passive income stream that would allow him to move to Florida without any of the active burden that landlording required.

We take a friendly approach but always let folks know up front, “we will evict you“ If uou dont pay rent.