Does any of your competition offer it all? 

While it was a scary jump at first, we quickly realized this space is actually less competitive.

There are opportunities out there but some strategies are risky. 1 - Airbnb (STR) comes to mind - very competitive, very saturated and becoming highly regulated.2 - Most STRs are transitioning to MTR so that market will be saturated soon if it isn't already.3 - Insurance crisis in florida is getting bad so those costs will eat up cashflow and short term appreciation.

In today's competitive real estate market, having modern amenities can set your property apart, making it more attractive to a wider audience.

I don't see a 401k/IRA as a competition with real estate as with the correct setup, you can self-direct 401k/IRA funds into real estate.

A knowledgeable attorney can advise here.Create a solid operating agreement: Since you own the condo with a friend, a clear operating agreement is essential to outline responsibilities, decision-making, and profit-sharing for the LLC.To save on costs:Look for real estate attorneys who specialize in investment properties and might offer package deals for the retitling, operating agreement, and filing the LLC.Shop around for title companies that can handle the transfer smoothly and provide competitive rates.Research DIY options for setting up the LLC if your situation is straightforward, though I’d still recommend a lawyer for the transfer process itself.Good luck with the process!

Many employers are seeing now as a great time to opportunistically buy or lease, usually downsizing, into new office spaces in the district during this period where there are still depressed prices, even on some Class A office spaces.The Resurgence of the Office Market in D.C.The resurgence of employers returning to the city with the pandemic fears now in the rearview mirror is apparent with Q4 of 2024 being the first quarter of positive leasing absorption for office space in the District over the last 10 quarters (Source) Another example is Boston Properties Group (NYSE: BXP), the largest publicly traded developer, owner, and manager of Class A Office space in the United States, is building a 320,000 square foot new trophy office in Downtown DC, with 5 floors already pre-leased to the global law firm McDermott Will & Emery as well as the Rockefeller Group developing a 422,000 square foot office building slated for delivery in 2026 at 600 Fifth St.NW, which is similarly 50% pre-leased (Source).

Creative terms can make your offer stand out, especially in competitive markets.Build RapportPeople are more likely to work with those they like and trust.

Because there is tons of competition for flat fee brokers for as little as $99.

I think because it's so competitive to survive in California, and being accustomed to high prices, they view the rest of the country as opportunity.