Even if its not applicable to how you are looking to invest, areas where the government is putting a bunch of money could be good bets.

Look into ways to pay, like common loans, government-backed loans, or money from private people.

Sylvia CastellanosResponse to your response.I'm not sure how it works in other places, but here in Texas the videos you are probably watching will tell you that you can make a government guaranteed 25-50% interest on investing in tax deeds. 

We have found that some state governments are more problematic to deal with.

The best areas to invest, in my opinion, are areas that have 3 or 4 major sectors that employ people.

One cannot control the outside forces (government/economy/career/medical/etc.). 

That service not only told me that their department doesn't do environmental studies, but that no department in the county government does.

But if you think appreciation has stalled or capital expense might be lurking then a 1031 is better than just a sale because you get the compounding effect of the deferred tax working for you not the government.

Local government is landlord friendly and taxes and cost of living are lower.

I am working on a few deals in three separate markets where the federal government has selected my client's bid to lease their building and was trying to find my client a lender who would provide 100% Loan to cost for the deal.