We paid off our primary home last year and have been slowly getting the courage to jump into the investing market where we live in the Pacific Northwest.

@Karina Pacific, Welcome to BP!

Unfortunately, with the number of pivots that are publicized and at inexperienced investor’s disposal, there’s never been more avenues for inexperienced investors to hold on too long.I hope inexperienced investors are mindful of this because I am constantly interacting with investors who are falling for these traps and doing immense harm to themselves, even if they may not be fully aware at the time of their decisions.It's crucial for investors, especially those just starting out, to recognize that not every investment will pan out as hoped (unlike what the gurus will tell you).

There are few places as iconic to visit or invest as the Pacific Coast in the US and the coastal stretch of Oregon is no exception.

I wasn't going to let this deter me so I began looking for deals but the numbers just didn't pan out.

Make sure there are no Federal Pacific electrical panels. 

Just look at  Alan's example which is an accurate depiction of how these properties often pan out when viewed through an extended time period.

Yes, even the best system will see a bad tenant get through, but we've found that raising the bar cuts out 90% of what we have to eventually deal with, and for the remaining 10%, if it's a tenant who's always paid in good faith, we try to work with them within the month and, if it doesn't pan out, we move straight to the hard talk.

Living in the Pacific Northwest, where the “Big One” could strike at any moment, I’ve been gradually selling off my portfolio to exit the market and safeguard my capital.

And then it pans to a luxury car.