I personally think the smaller buy to lets are being squeezed out (see recent tax changes - less interest able to be claimed, more SDLT e.t.c.) so unless you have quite a few of them I see this being a more challenging area than buying a bigger development and using a pure financial JV. There are plenty of people out there who value your expertise, drive and ambition and will be happy to back you. If you choose the right partner or financier then they won't need to be hands on at all, leaving you to get on - do what you're good at and make them their return!