The most drama free market (at least if you're a buyer, the story we just told includes 4 sellers frustrated with their listing agent -- but as a buyer, that's not my/your problem) I've seen in California in my limited time on this planet. 

This seems to be like the toughest thing to do on planet earth!

As much as I think we would all be better off with less debt, to choke off all lending would being this country and probably the planet to a grinding halt.

It is the financial vehicle that the top 3% of the richest people on the planet use to build their personal fortunes.

If the planets align as I hope I will likely be based around the Plano area (main job, easy routes to airport), but setting up some alerts with some key words is a good call @Sol N.To be honest, until recently I hadn't considered real estate as a real investment, more of a place to live, but after looking at some of the material here I'm beginning to incline towards the multi-family (2plex, 3plex, 4plex) unit-type approach to maximise initial investment, and take advantage of any tax breaks whether now or down the road.

It's a "hot market" and the entire planet knows it's a "hot market". 

I invest for cash flow and if that asset is completely removed from the planet, I want the means to get it back cash flowing again, regardless of what I have invested in it.

Shwat...As someone in medicine, the grass is not greener. 

I went thru several managers hoping the grass would be greener with a management change and sometimes it was and sometimes it wasn't. 

They are now being used for enhanced photography, virtual tours, and even property management.Big DataAs the world becomes a planet of digital natives, more and more data is becoming available to the public.