I feel I have enough background in construction and vendor management and most important I'm very excited about the market and what I see (or at least though my eyes) as a great opportunity.

Lifestyles is one of our vendors and we are also vendors for them as well.

First, unlike some vendors a contractor must be carefully managed.

I know of a vendor but I don't think a non instutional investor will get approved to order the report.

Once trees are mature you can wholesale half the fruit to a vendor for added income.  

You should get multiple estimates and require the vendors submitting them to justify each line item.My $0.02 ...

I would be actively involved in the management of the fund along side with my other partners, primarily in the role of directing vendors, working with investor/members in the fund and contributing to decisions on asset acquisitions.

I went to the conference I think 3 years ago.. and paid for and sat through the training.. it for me as a long time lender and NMLS licensed mortgage banker.. it was underwhelming.. very rudimentary.. the class rooms had a lot of what you would consider private lenders.. the vendor halls were all HML  anyone who has a booth and calls them self a lender is a HML not a private lender by definition, a private lender does not advertise has no license and you meet at REIAS problem these days is there are so many phony private lenders out there that are just due diligence pump and dump thieves.and most private lenders are MORE expensive than most HML these days and they have limited capital as they are private.that's my take on it..  

Same with the Title company or other vendors you use.Befriend mobile notaries in your area. 

Amish labor is cheaper, faster, and more accurate than non-Amish labor.