Don't compound them by neglecting to hire competent local management.

Obviously they all wont be the best deals, but they will all collect together in a compounding effect.

AC Have either one of you gone through that process compounded with a zoning variance request?  

If not, and the floor just wasn't properly leveled when they poured the pad, then you can use some delve leveling compound.

. - I think you just put a bow on this conversation - "rate of divergence is increasing"...This is some scary stuff with lots of opportunity coming :)

I can take that $50-60k immediate profit and flip for 10% return compounding for the next 5 years and make even more money on my money.  

My family (myself, brother's family, parents, in-laws) is looking to create a multi-unit, possibly mixed-use compound in the greater DC area.

A lien for property taxes becomes quite reasonable security for the full amount of the taxes I paid + 12% interest compounded annually

I was about to summon you as I'm bowing out of this one.  

In finance the rule 72 is a method for estimating investments doubling time. 72 is divided by the interest rate to get the appropriate number of years to double.Two examples: 6% and 12%6 into the 72 will get you 12 years to double.12 into the 72 will get you 6 years to double.So what that means is if you have $10,000, to make it 20,000, you need 12% and then wait 6 years for consistent compounding, versus if you have $10,000 to make it $20,000, you need 6% and then wait 12 years for consistent compoundingSo let's compare 3 different investments, CDs at a low rate, mutual funds from a full price brokerage like Merrill Lynch, and being a private lender.CDs are low low low, like .5% to 1.5%, depending along you leave it in the bank.Mutual funds, their success is totally dependent on its management of the stock company, if they go bankrupt, (think WorldCom, Enron), usually the officers of a corporation that gives stock, even blue chips, will take care of their own before they take care of their stockholders.What about nontraditional investments?