We're just going to get a wall oven/microwave unit instead so we can do a thinner island that takes up less space (18").  

It's also a compounding problem.As deals become thinner, the ability for an investor to work with a competent and legal contractor becomes less and less... and so the contractors who used to 'straddle the fence' (so to speak) see their margins becoming thinner and thinner as investors push harder and harder.End result?

I looked at buying multifamily, but I couldn't get into it yet - I am in Portland, OR, where it is a blood bath right now.  

In my opinion, this is a good working definition of a "highest and best" offer.Someone with deeper pockets, willing to take thinner margins, or with completely different situation/goals (i.e. owner occupant vs. flipper vs. buy and hold) can always come along and outbid you.

Lots of bad blood there apparently.

They need a specific license and are required by the state to get regular blood tests to be sure they're not inhaling too much lead dust. 

However people usually dont know the blood, sweat and tears that went into getting that money. 

But I hear the term real estate investment and my blood flows faster.

You can make more with one great deal that you use a combination of creativity, blood, and sweat than many people can make in ten deals.

Always great to have new blood around.