(The substitute trustee filings are a marker/indicator for defaults.) 

Portfolio loans are not the answer...they solve the problem of the loan limit, however, you substitute the problem with "handcuffs". 

I've had more clients doing the diversification exchanges (purchasing multiple replacements) with individual loans for each than I have with blanket loans.The key if you're going to get one loan is to make sure you have a partial release clause and substitution of collateral clauses that allow you to sell individuals and buy individuals down the road without requiring a recast or pay off of the entire loan.  

It is a substitute for having your own website.

Setup and manage your own properties.You can read books and educate yourself on how to do it ahead of time, but nothing substitutes for real world experience.

Not everything goes on their and different brokerage offices of the same brand utilize it differently.I am not saying you should not pay for Loopnet, but there is not substitute for building your network and direct communication with that network.

It depends but a mentor isn't the supposed to be a substitute for hard work.

Experience and knowledge are probably the only substitutes, and either being able to comb through yourself or with someone that can do that is the only way.

There is no substitute for walking the property.

There is no substitute for understanding the area.