Or in the case of my most recent flip, a friend from ages ago connected me with his parents who ended up lending me $50,000 for six months.

Considering the FED cannot really control interest rates and at best can control the short end of the curve it would seem to me that Jay Powell would be in a position where he cannot raise rates. 

It is crazy expensive here with no signs of slowing down (SD appreciates 6.94% per year on average which is higher than the majority of markets around the country).I personally like the idea of purchasing a low down payment personal residence as a first investment, that way you have more control of what happens.

This would allow us better margins and more control.

The next week I listed the car at my wife's parents  5 bed 2 bath Hoa neighborhood home.

I thought I would have the money from my parents, but they changed there mind at the last minute.

The loss of control at the expense of a GP enriching himself with fees and syndication expenses is a great deterrent vs individual investment.

sounds like the government just wants..... wait for it... more control. 

My parents bought a property back in 2000 and paid off the mortgage in full around 2007 (maybe even earlier).

I believe that it is a great way to sort of ease into the industry and get my feet wet in a way that is more controlled and manageable.