Our job is to try and change perceptions for the industry.

I am Vera Stoddard - former commercial banker with 15 years of credit experience with a few international banking groups - Rabobank, Swedbank, Societe Generale, Wells Fargo.I was born and raised in Moscow, Russia and got my most international banking experience there.

It is all about your perceptions. 

My day job is in the Information Technology Analyst and I just recently got my real estate license and looking to transition into this field in the next few years full time.My question to you is in regards of perception.

It is literally true that two $10 fees have a greater negative impact on peoples' perceptions than a single $25 fee.Personally, I have never raised the rent of an existing tenant.  

or anyone here can explain them to me Hey Rod,I write a blog for Bigger Pockets a while back about my perception on the different types of asset classes.Please see link - http://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/2014/06/28/abcs-real-estate-asset-classes/Thanks and I hope you find it useful.

I came away with the perception that one should be prepared to have up to 40% available for down and closing.

Real estate is 90% prospecting.My niche is development and building if that helps broaden your perception about what I do.

Again, Philly vs Burbs is very subjective and a lot of what goes into the perception has little to do the actual cost of living in Philly versus the Burbs. 

Alex - not sure what your perception of good is, but I personally like and invest in Valhalla - just purchased a duplex at 83rd/Villard this month.It's not super sexy and imo won't see great appreciation, but it's much more solid with less crime than the other NW neighborhoods and cashflow is great.