@James LehmannThe classic tome is "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie.  

In life you have mentors, friends, business partners, family and other key influences that help you evolve and it’s no different in real estate.

Failing to identify these differences will skew your analysis as valuation is not strictly a math formula of square footage costs and adjusting for amenities.These influences will be magnified as you move further away from the subject property.

In my opinion it does influence them to re-tenant the property every year, and never sign more than a 1 year lease.

Interest rates and other factors will influence this, of course.

If so,  would having an agent represent you possibly have got you a little more since they'd negotiate and market without the influence of their money being at stake or do you feel you would have had the same result or worse? 

I agree with Account Closed - you have much more control and influence doing this within your own ranks or tenants than an outside bureaucracy.  

The fear either comes from an experience you had or your acceptance of the influence of others.

The economic desirability is influenced by the valuation of nearby homes.The lay of the land is very important.

If your stock portfolio (the source of funds) tanks after you make an offer, it has everything to do with how the property is being financed and may influence your decision on whether to move forward, but has nothing to do with the financing clause language.Bottom line:  If my ability to fund a project is not contingent on my bank approved credit worthiness and/or a formal appraisal, all offers are cash...And, so far, no one has had a problem with this.Wm