On the other hand, this phrase is often used by the likes of Uncle G (who, having an accounting degree, should really know better) to suggest claiming personal expenses as business deductions.

I was employed with and carry insurance with a premier global property and casualty insurer. 

If they do not qualify because of poor credit or income issues compared to being self employed etc there are differences - but typically people don’t qualify due to poor credit and people will seller finance to these borrowers thinking they woke up at a holiday inn and got a finance degree when in reality they repeat their past mistakesRemember the definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting a different result

And here in PA, the new buying/renting season starts the first day the temp hits 60 degrees, sometime in FEB or MAR. 

I've been finishing up my Financial Planning degree at the University of Alabama.

It's 20 degrees where I am at.

I think comparing to the two-- syndications vs index funds-- is too difficult because of the nature of the specific RE under the syndication versus the broad economy(global and domestic) the index funds capture.

You can defer to some degree.2. 

This takes care of collections and filters tenants to a large degree.  

It's like getting a degree in college.