Their support is great, and trust me you would need it.

I wouldn't trust them to repair things correctly.

In our case, we made the effort because a) we're on our 7th property, b) we have sufficient reserves to weather ups and downs with the property c) we have an attorney we've previously worked with and trust to help us with the resident ejectment, d) the purchase price was low enough to give us sufficient room for error, e) we have contractors with whom we've worked who we believe can timely renovate the property and f) we were prepared to get it wrong and either lose money on this or sell the property at break-even, a small profit or a small loss. 

Find a good one you trust and leverage their relationships to build out the rest of the team.You could set up draws for yourself at certain milestones to get paid if the capital is open to it.

Trust me, I've been there.

Chase moved WAMU executives retirement accounts (previously fully funded $800 million) into rabbi trusts, took the money, and later bankrupted retirement accounts.TPG survived the hit.

A Living Trust drafted by your attorney where you have a familial relationship as trustees maybe something to explore.

You might change your mind in person and as @Russell Brazil said, we don't usually trust the OOS buyer until they show us the money or the motivation to buy.

Each state has different usury limits and you are exempt if you are licensed.I highly encourage you to speak with your CPA/attorney regarding the use of an entity and if it is right for you as well as the legal docs to protect you (deed of trust, promissory note, personal guarantee rider, and all other disclosure docs you should have for the state you intend to lend in).

I want vendors I can be lifelong clients of--improves our trust levels.