I'm not going to break out an accounting equation to explain how to tally net worth, because you obviously think it's impossible that anyone could be a multi millionaire, after over a decade of real estate investing, most of the time being a member on here, in the 6th most expensive housing market in the country, on a real estate investing forum.

Choosing the right market to invest is a critical piece of the equation as some market are cash flow heavy with little/no growth and some are appreciation heavy with negative cash flow. 

This equates to, at minimum, usually another 1k out of an individual's pocket.

Assuming we close without incident, investors will get an 80% ROI over two years. 80% is not a typo.80% roi over 5 years (as per original plan) equates to 12.5% annual return, which is quite standard.

Looking at your balance sheet to determine current and potential future equity (which can be tapped into down the line via cash out refi's or sales) is also part of the accounting equation to determine how successful each investment is for you.

I think it is important to look at the persons track record to determine how much they actually care about you (which in the long run equates to making themselves more money).

The router is only part of the equation here - you can buy a $500 router, but if you have a 5Mbit connection coming to it, it will be little use. 

You need to decide how passive you want the RE investment realizing more passive often equates to lower return (but less work). 

I would rather be feared then loved and Ill take the risk of dealing with the magistrates and explaining a simple escrow account over losing money on a business transaction.Somehow, you've managed to forego the warning against being hated for needless cruelty in your first quote and you equate grifting $50/month more out of a tenant for a pet that doesn't exist with "something great."

Taking into consideration this would be ones first property, living elsewhere would still yield an expense and so I am accounting for this money saved into the above equation.