Generally larger commercial properties and shopping centers are easier to classify with hard and fast rules, but to the points above the residential areas really move very quickly and have way more nuance than most people care to admit.zip codes are generally way too large for my liking at least in my market to provide any kind of insights other than macro level economics but even then highways or rivers that cut through a zip code can end up with totally different trade areas.we can get pretty granular with cellphone data and with grocery center data to understand the trade areas and their true boundaries, but that kind of data pull is generally only cost effective for investors doing larger scale projects or developments, and honestly we still just end up getting on the ground and feeling it out, so I generally tell people that the money is better spent on a plane ticket and weekend trip in the area you are looking rather than any kind of "trade area" level data studies.and generally B class in 1 area means something different than another. 

Hard money lenders are often more willing to take on higher-risk projects and offer faster closings, but the trade-off can be higher interest rates and shorter terms.

If you have no money you can try to earn equity in a deal with your time (finding deals, managing the property, etc), or skill (learn a trade, get your GC license, etc) I read that book in Sept and wished I had read it sooner! 

I don't feel there is one answer to this question as every property is different and what are your goals, how much time do you have to manage, what are your strengths when it comes to working the trades, people skills, etc as that will help drive towards your super power. 

If this is not something you're interested in delving into and learning to a high degree, then investing in publicly traded REITs would be another good option for you, which have historically returned about 13.5 per cent Per year over the past 50 years (1977-present), beating the US stock market by two per cent and even beating private real estate investing by 4 per cent (that's compared with the average real estate investor, not the experts here at Bigger Pockets).

My top priority is having maximum flexibility with what I can invest in within my HSA, second priority is ease of use and convenience of the investing platform, third is minimizing any account, trading, or management fees charged by the HSA provider. 

2) Handling all the calls3) Scheduling showings - and getting stood up --if you are smart with computers use software like Calendarly (sp?)

By trade I have been in occupational therapy for 10 years, but am willing to take a pay cut to really focus on what will make me the most successful investor I can be.

You can also trade up these properties quicker into other properties where you can force equity.

Now, it took me many years and a lot of real estate trading to get to this place with my bank, but that is why I highly recommend that RE investors work hard and finding and nurturing a local banking relationship.