They get a higher return since they are covering housing cost, have the $250k per spouse primary residence deduction in gains, is a savings account, higher leverage position, lower interest rate possible, will pay more premium for location, etc.House might be overpriced for REITs but not for home owners.  

Right now, I am not as interested in investing as I am in helping another investor in order to get some hands-on experience while my wife and I save a little bit more money.

In California there is $800 franchise tax per LLC per year, which discourages a lot of RE investors from getting an LLC.

Be mindful of short-term capital gains tax, as profits from flips held for less than a year are taxed as ordinary income, and frequent flipping may result in self-employment taxes.While profits from flips do not qualify for 1031 exchanges (since flips are considered inventory, not investment properties), you can minimize your tax burden by deducting allowable expenses like renovation costs, loan interest, and holding expenses.If you're considering diversifying into rentals, explore opportunities to benefit from long-term tax advantages such as depreciation and lower long-term capital gains rates.

When cycle gets tougher then those marginal agents sales dry up and they go back to that j-o-b especially since they did not save and spent all their money on trips, bigger houses, nicer cars,etc.Good LuckI hope you are one of the few that make it long term. 14 years in the business and still having record sales year after year.The best nugget of info I can give is constantly out learn your competition.

Another downside is you loose on the advantages, of the Federal Tax Code, by not closing in the name of a LLC (you can elect to have a LLC taxed, as a S Corporation which is a whole other conversation).If you want to close in the name of a LLC, Mortgage Lenders will offer you Commercial Loan Terms (25-30% down, a 15-25 year amortization, and a ballon due in 5-7 years).

It will probably save you a lot of time and headaches to go that route.

The landscape is just different than even the last 3 years with people making bad calls but getting saved by significant appreciation. 

NJ has the highest taxes per capita in the country so high taxes are expected especially in Northern NJ.

On property number one, I would cash flow $750 a month after mortgage, taxes, and insurance if I also rent out the unit I live in.