I also plan to experience with different color envelopes as well as a few other subtle things to do to the outside of the envelope that i've been reading about. 

Once you've seen a wobbly roof, a wonky foundation, and lots of cobbled repairs, you learn to look for those subtle signs of trouble for yourself.

We also do deals together and are a sounding board for each other for business advice.If you want to get a flavor of the local market, I would suggest attending local meetups and REIAs.

THere is a new expert popping up every day, a new podcast, a new guru building credibility (or attempting to) in subtle but dubious ways.

Many people eat for flavor, not too many eat for fuel.

If that person happens to be the owner of the house, a subtle difference can make a difference between closing a deal or getting cursed for unwanted marketing call.And to one or another degree this same pattern of interaction will follow you anywhere you go, be it a networking meeting, conversation with the lender, a realtor , an attorney and so on.

I have also used esri to get a flavor of the tenant base and or even run local rental ads for more feel.

Real Estate can be boring to some so I try to add some flavor whenever possible.

It may prove to be worthless professionally, but you will know you finished it and it may help you in subtle ways you can't put your finger on right now.There's a quote somewhere about the two greatest mistakes.

Note there is a subtle distinction there in the sense that she enjoys mostly what she does, so she hustles, whereas my grind is a means to an end.