I'm finding few truly independent RE agents/brokers in the Milw. area.

They are all independently owned, and run about $50-60k/door ($200-250k) on the market, drawing $650-800/mo rent (each unit), depending on the size, location, and condition of the unit. 

I strongly recommend an independent agent. 

I had their report (hud) and then I hired an independent home inspector.

To have a population trapped in employment that they don't like, doing jobs they don't like or that conflict with their values - all because they have to pay the mortgage is a way to pacify even the most independently minded population.There will be winners out of sub-prime and it won't generally be the ordinary citizen!

I used to be in the book business and the independents just sat back for years and fought technology as a group while B Dalton/Barnes and Noble etc.etc. chewed them up.

But, the actual number is not very meaningful.An appraisal from an independent, licensed appraiser is, maybe, more indicative of the market value.

I don't want to be one of those "I decided I want to do REI so tell me everything you know" newbies, so I want to lay at least a little background out to show I've done some independent study.

So what on earth would make me believe that these privileged, self-supporting, and independent sons and daughters of mine need money more than people whose homes were destroyed by tsunamis through no fault of their own?

It will be work so just give up the dream if you don't want to put the work into becoming independantly successful and wealthy.