I earned my SRES (Senior Real Estate Specialist) designation because I recognized that 90% of the deals I do are with people over 70 years old--buyers and sellers alike.If I'm bringing someone a deal for a piece of property they own and they don't do this kind of thing every day like I do, it's imperative that they become my fiduciary.

I mean for that to work you would have to find experienced trades people (carpenters, carpet layers, tile installers) working as temps, who had the necessary tools, and you need to know enough to recognize if they are doing their job correctly.I agree with J.

I can send you a list of PMs in town to interview.

For tax purposes it doesn't matter as the IRS doesn't recognize a SMLLC as a business entity.

Fill in the foundation below.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere Check out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

I recognize that RE investment is as a credible investment tool and want to get involved.

But then, I've also never lived anywhere where it was difficult to find good places to rent.While I realize this isn't quite the same scenario, it does remind me of a job interview I went on once. 

Interesting at the end of the interview when asked again about real estate it didn't even register with David Allen about investing.Frank

Use references, online checking, and interviews. 

So maybe I learned a bit about using the tool...I recognized the value of having reserves even while I'm leveraged...and I have a MUCH BETTER idea of how to build my portfolio now than I did back before this debacle!