Why is hoarding it in real estate, especially in todays economy, a rational decision when you can eat your cake and have even more cake. 

In researching different markets I find deals like this:http://www.loopnet.com/Listing/5175-Warrensville-Center-Rd-Maple-Heights-OH/11817181/But utilities, if not billed to the tenants, would seem to eat up a lot of the cash flow. 

The 3rd one has had to spend all her income on rent, eating out, etc.

I also let them know via email or maybe a small gift card when I WONT be raising rates even though the power co did... gives you a chance to recoup a loss for idiots who leave taps on or don’t report a leaky toilet and also gives you a chance yo remind them you’re eating an increase that as a homeowner they would be required to pay.

It may be a buyers market but can you potentially eat costs for 8 years of economic turnaround?

That's still illegal.Over time the "food industry" will eat its way up the "food chain" and take over the processed product categories one by one too, and for the same reasons.At a moments notice, if the federal government decides to play rough, all they have to do is pass some legislation (or just threaten) to revoke the charter of any bank that accepts money from any pot related bussiness. 

The larger companies eat up a greater portion. 

The clutter in the pics is her stuff, she is about to have an estate sale before the house sells4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, 2800 square feet, living room, formal dining, eat in kitchen, family room, nice yard that is about 6/10th of an acre, great area of high value housingFrom the pics it is obvious that many things have never been updated in the 53 years the house has been around.

New construction probably sells for 3x construction hard costs, soft costs, interest, etc will probably eat up total of 50% of exit value.

I personally have tried both and I don't travel enough (yet) to stay with a travel card. same with eating out...when youre young and trying to save money (and your waist line) by cooking all the time, the hotels and restaurant bonuses don't do much.