I'm the first one to tell people that Zestimate's are meaningless and people should not pay attention to them, but as hard as I try, I'm just not seeing how Zillow is "ripping brokers off" but since you won't explain it, I suppose I'm destined to never know.

Over the next 12-18 months, my real estate investment goals are to:1) buy a multi family property as an owner occupant2) become a licensed real estate agent3) continue learning about single family and multi-unit buy and hold strategies4) develop a greater understanding of my local market (where I see few opportunities)5) identify out of area markets where prospects seem brighter such as Baltimore, Richmond, Atlanta (my hometown), and Houston (my next destination if/when I leave DC)6) connect with REI veterans and identify ways my skills can benefit themAs I continue to save money, I hope to begin earning additional income by serving more experienced investors.

In my opinion the only time you are likely to see true appreciation is when an area goes through economic transformation - small town turns to resort destination, local industry (ie tech or oil and gas) booms, or something of that sort.

The opening of Disneyland in 1955 made Orange County an international tourist destination.

Living in a destination city as I do and near downtown makes me think that this might allow me to bring in more rent than I would just as a regular rental.

There is an emergence of nice restaurants and foodie favorites that is becoming a foodie destination in the south.

I only ask for a bit of time for response, I'm not exactly at my final base destination so I don't know when I will be able to respond in a timely manner.

Speaking another language can be huge as the US is the #1 destination for foreign investors in real estate.

David J Dachtera"Success is not a destination.

We focus on destination type tenants ( karate schools, barber shops, hair salons, nail places, restaurants, doctor offices, environmentally friendly dry cleaners, etc. ).