They force you to constantly do specials that reduce your profit margins.

We specialize as buy and hold investors who self manage out of state investors in class A properties. 

You might consider Niche or Specialized Housing like student housing.

You might consider Niche or Specialized Housing like student housing.

Those who specialize in REITs don't work cheap and no, you can't do it yourself.

I would have a serious discussion with them and/or a civil engineer who specializes in concrete about how they recommend you lay your baseplates ... trying to secure your framing to the external walls is not a practical approach (i would need to dig into the math to decide if it would have sufficient integrity), beside what will you do for internal walls?

If you only plan on managing an apartment complex that you own or have an ownership share in then I beleive that you are OK and do not need anything special. 

You might consider Niche or Specialized Housing like student housing.

Some form of this has to be legal because a very experienced and successful investor in our area pays thousands in "marketing fees" each year.Is a special form required? 

We specialize as buy and hold investors who self manage out of state investors in class A properties.