I would imagine at the time I am ready to bring a deal I am knowledgeable about how to close it with meeting lender requirements,by either observing an experienced syndicator/having a mentor.

After the rehab sold very quickly once it was listed on the MLS I decided to step back and do some realtor work to get a better understanding of the marketing and sales side of the rehab business.When I went out with buyers and tenants looking at homes, listened to their critiques, observed what turned them off and what turned them on, and then comparing that info to the data on the MLS, I couldn't believe how much info I missed during the years (12) I've been in this business.I now go out occasionally with friends and family who are looking for homes and apartments just to stay in touch with the market.I say if you can, get licensed and use it to access the MLS.

From my non-scientific observations of the cars auctioned on Mecum's, even those muscle or collector's cars are not good investments.

Hang out in your local real estate club.Just observe the initial few times there.You will see the different investors out there.Pick a couple of people you like in the group.Start to talk to them first.

My observation is that those who buy and hold always buy and hold, @Taylor Green.

Hi @Richard Michael,Your observation about "flat-line", or what I call "linear" markets, is correct.

There are some key observations that could work in my favor, or could be red flags that I'm too naive to avoid. 

More common is maybe coming in and observing/working on a flip, a closing, viewing potential homes for purchase, etc. 

Probably one of the biggest differences is that banks aren't throwing out equity loans at a record pace; supported by ever-rising, ungoverened, appraisal values.I'm not an economist, just my observation as someone who was on the receiving end of a lot of those equity loans in that period of time.

The more I read about stock investing, the more I observe that many authors of stock investing articles are utterly averse to real estate investing.