I've used inter-vivos revocable trusts dozens of times, and they are a great vehicle for what they are designed: estate planning, anonymity, and a "bit" of asset protection.You'll need to shop for a lender that will allow your parents to close in a trust. 

A good general contractor is going to spend a good bit longer than 30 minutes putting together a detailed scope of work and estimate.  

I've also read some articles/posts where people recommend having a CPA for your real estate and a CPA for all your other matters.

Hi BiggerPockets Community,I currently live in California and renting a home here. 

I am a local active in the area.

You're going to want to find a real estate with good experience working with real estate investors as well as probably get on some wholesaler selling lists. 

It's a rural area.

How to Find a Mentor

If you kick three out, and it takes you a month to get a new tenant in, that right there is another $5,250 of negative cash flow.  ($7k/4*3=$5250)You are also going to have to turn those units. 

It's always a bad time to buy a house.