It's a bit of a risk in posting someone's information here and then 5 years later someone finds the post and calls them after the handyman has been released from prison for an ax murder (bit of an exaggeration but you get the idea).

It is usually exaggerated.  

Don't spend your money building ridiculous protections against an exaggerated threat.

OK, I am exaggerating to make a point, but there are at least three main things going on here. 1) many of the deals you are hearing about came from purchases during the financial crisis when property values were depressed, a lot of those investments have been sold and the money made. 2) When you hear 15% IRR, you are hearing both successful deals that are outliers, and 3) you are hearing deals by people who are really really good at their craft.

.……………………………. 336People Exaggerate Problems………………….……………………….. 337Competitor Disinformation Tactics………………….………………… 337Be Careful of "Experts"………………….……………………………. 338Who Should You Listen to………………….…………………………. 339Specialize Only to a Point………………….………………………….. 339Weeds in Your Business Garden………………….…………………… 340Develop Problem Solving Mentality…………………………………... 341Exploit Your Unique Business Advantage……………………………. 342Competitor Surveillance………………….…………………………… 343Join Associations………………….…………………………………… 344Use Systems, Policies, Checklists, Forms…………………………….. 345Chapter 17 Select the Right Business Form………………………. 347The Four Main Structures………………….………………………….. 347What is the Best Entity Choice………………….…………………….. 350Create a Fictitious Name………………….…………………………… 350Landlording and Entities………………….…………………………… 351Chapter 18 Shrewd Marketing Secrets………………….………... 352Marketing Rules #1, #2………………….

(No exaggeration, I still have the list)  Guess how many of those responses turned into a sale?  

One street over in the wrong direction can make a huge difference -- no exaggeration!  

Are its numbers exaggerated?

And no I am not exaggerating.

I am also finishing my first deal right now and cannot exaggerate how similar our experiences and mistakes have turned out to be!