On top of the units that I own, my family has over 100 rental units in Central MA and all are self-managed, but we also have a construction company and de-leading company under the umbrella, so it's been a vertically integrated sort of deal since I was young.

Stay in control of everything you are responsible for and will adjust the numbers as you see fit to have a buying value.  

if not, you are playing two sets of rules here....How about NOT collecting deposit at all when the decision process is so long and completely out of your control? 

Following are the similarities and differences between the solo 401k and the self-directed IRA.The Self-Directed IRA and Solo 401k Similarities Both were created by congress for individuals to save for retirement;Both may be invested in alternative investments such as real estate, precious metals tax liens, promissory notes, private company shares, and stocks and mutual funds, to name a few;Both allow for Roth contributions;Both are subject to prohibited transaction rules;Both are subject to federal taxes at time of distribution;Both allow for checkbook control for placing alternative investments;Both may be invested in annuities;Both are protected from creditors;Both allow for nondeductible contributions;Both are prohibited from investing in assets listed under I.R.C. 408(m); andNeither may be invested in your own business. 

The one drawback of crowd funding for many people is that they are not in control/managing it.

What about other expenses such as lawn care, snow removal, pest control?  

We want to put our work ethic to the test and control our destiny and as such our income.

Or some external factor out of your control like a huge company moving in closeby could raise property values and rents, or an oil spill could really screw things up. 

Control everything you are responsible for until you can support somebody else.  

Taxes, property management fees, insurance, heating (this old building uses oil heating), 10% of rent per year to maintenance, snow removal, pest control, etc add up to ~$29,000/yr.