Since i'm just getting started and trying to test out what works and what doesn't I'd rather do more of the stuff myself so I can control how many cards go out, the day they go out and what areas go out.

I recently enrolled into classes myself in order to take more control over my real estate investments.

So in that structure you can have control in tandem with the lender on the capital.  

Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.

We are getting ready to purchase our first investment property, a single family house to rent, using a self-directed Solo 401 K.At first I was leaning toward having checkbook control, but the cost for a custodian-managed account is reasonable, and I am thinking it might be good to have a custodian take some responsibility for paperwork and banking.What are the disadvantages of using a custodian, other than the slightly higher annual cost?

Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.

Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.

I am not advocating buying D properties, but the certainty of cash flows that comes with B and C properties (if you have a good game plan) is much higher and more controllable than the certainty of appreciation.

Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.

You could also do a subject to; often you may not need to put any money down to control the deal.There are a lot of great post here on BP and highly recommend you understand all of these options further.