My ability to estimate rehab costs at this point is non-existent.

I reached out to someone on their team on 7/23 to inquire about their ability to appraise, underwrite and approve a loan for 8/7. 

@Sameet KoppikarWith funds in an IRA, you simply want to evaluate the risk/reward of any particular asset as compared to other assets.Notes are relatively low risk, require little interaction on your part, and produce consistent income.Real estate is more work, and has increased risk such as tenant & contractor interactions.What real estate offers that notes do not are the ability to use leverage such as a mortgage and the potential for appreciation in addition to cash flow.There is no one answer as to which asset class is superior.  

But if I call her or email her a question, I don't get a bill for the answer.  

Wouldn't your intent have been to make a commission by selling the property of another as you never intended to or had the ability to purchase it yourself?

If they do you should have the ability to just call and ask

It is directly negating their ability to do things like a) get a job, b) find housing, and c) protect themselves and their families from further financial misfortune. 

All you can do sometimes is screen tenants to the best of your ability and hope they turn out to be good people. 

This gives you several benefits: the tax deduction of home ownership, builds additional credit, can build equity to leverage for future investing, and the ability to write off expenses repairs and upkeep.  

I also believe the ability to manage the business of RE whether it be renting, flipping, etc, is a great skill to have.