Constant bombardment from public media and internet that RE is the way to get rich and retire etc etc. 

Such as Public Storage and Extra Space Storage.

In my county, the county assessor public website shows the owner's name and mailing address.

Once you know how much you need on an annual basis, you divide that by what you have and that rate of return lets you know what sort of investments you should be looking at.

They also can't understand the harm that can be done with sellers because they don't know what all goes on, but if a seller does complain, great, maybe they will understand what a real estate commission or judge tells, until then, most will just be a public nuisance.

To narrow down your focus, first, identify the most basic requirements: schools and the public transportation to NYCEven if you do not have school-aged kids, and the schools are not your priority at the moment, it is an important consideration for your potential future tenants. 

The IRA has exposure to UBIT whether it flips independently or does so in partnership with another investor.See IRS publication 598

This industry is based more on profitability and return then comps, your lender will often use sales comps to underwrite the deal but for the buyer / seller you are usually going to use the NOI divided by the prevailing CAP rate for that submarket and asset type.

Publications / Tracking Market?

@Chris MelearAn IRA owner must have compensation from personal services rendered to contribute to a Traditional IRA (IRS Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRAs)).