(no idea if it's legal or even possible)Lender A is in an equity partnership, 50/50 profit split with the flipper.The flipper needs 150k for the entire property, so Lender A funds their joint LLC, as per their agreement.Before the funding takes place, Lender A has an agreement with Lender B to where Lender B gets a fixed rate of return for his investment.Lender A contributes 75k, and Lender B contributes 75k to a joint bank account, which then funds the flipper's and Lender A joint LLC.Lender B is given a promissory note by Lender A, using Lender's A 75k as collateral.The property takes 5 months to complete and makes a 20k profit.Lender A and the flippers joint LLC is then funded with 170k, they split the profit 10k/10k.Then Lender A pays back Lender B (75k + interest @ 10% = 3.5k), as per the promissory note.Lender A is left with 81.5k, so 6.5 k profit.(170k-10k = 160k, 160k - 78.5k = 81.5k)Now, if the property takes a 20k loss.150k - 20k = 130kLender A and the flippers joint LLC is funded, no profits to split.Lender A then pays back Lender B (75k + 3.5k = 78.5k), as per the promissory note.Lender A is left with 51.5k, so a 23.5k loss(130k - 78.5k = 51.5k)Lender B investment should be protected up to a 75k loss Lender A has invested.

This woman has driven properties to determine ARV/comps for me over the weekend and gotten back to me by Sunday evening after shooting her a text about a property on a Saturday.You want someone that provides excellent customer service and communication and is quick as well as thorough.

We've driven the area).

If you see weakness, then of course you would assume the opposite.So your projections about future cash flow, cap rates, and overall IRR will in fact be driven by the larger economic and market issues.

If you invest in a more appreciation driven area then the caps will always be trading at a lower number from demand.

Just looking to Cover my A**.

Having 30% down pre-approved mortgage seems overmatched in a mkt driven by savvy investors alike, darn it!

As to appreciation: Appreciation is above all driven by population growth.

Dear Bao:Oh so much spot on and wicked great advice above.I want to add that cap rates and pricing in our market is being chased by stoopid money.We currently have a mini bubble being driven by Hedge Fund buying, spring, and just plain inexperienced players.A great many of my colleagues and I are stepping to the sidelines and waiting for the fallout.I would key on the advice from the very wise Emily Dixon, Ned Carey, and Joel Owens and add to that overpriced valuations.We are in this together, ping me and lets get you set up with our REI group up in Santa Clarita.Blessings,Tevis

I got a killer deal thanks to the help of @Mark Updegraff, who's been invaluable in starting my REI business and assembling a team of professionals that is a pleasure to work with.As someone who is very driven and loves to self-teach, real estate provides a great medium for investment while not detracting from my day job.