My wife and I are now at a stage in life where we’re looking to move from a condo rental in the city to a home in the suburbs.

The sale included a sound stage and all types of equipment.

When you are in the acquisition stage, using leverage helps you build a portfolio.

So most agents are only putting about half of that $12k in their pocket, and out of that $6k they have to cover all of their operating expenses: licensing fees, MLS/ Realtor Association fees, continuing education classes to stay compliant with licensing requirements, monthly "desk" fees/ technology fees to their brokerage, health insurance for themselves and their family, errors and omissions insurance (required), marketing, car, car insurance, gas, clothes, computer/ software, cell phone, closing gifts, signs, photography, staging if they offer that, etc.

The exact return is yet to be known since I'm very early in the stage.

Professional staging, virtual tours, and high-quality photos can help them envision how the space fits their lifestyle, whether it’s for entertaining, work, or family.To overcome the “biggest house in the neighborhood” concern, shift the focus to its uniqueness and lifestyle potential.

I’m at a stage where I’ve built a small portfolio and now I need partners/investors in order to continue my rate of growth. 

*Development plans for expanded Hoffman Town Center*Although specific tenants have not been named yet due to the development being in the earlier design and planning stages, the vision as described by Hoffman Co. is a commercial and residential mixed-use development including a new public school, storage center, city agency training, a farmer's market, festival space, beer garden, and "other similar uses approved by the city".Sources:Developer laying groundwork to go bigger in Alexandria’s Eisenhower corridorAlexandria considering big plans for properties next to Eisenhower Avenue Metro stationPotomac Yards Alexandria: The 2$ Billion Sports Arena is not the Biggest Development in the Pipeline for Potomac YardsThe Sports Arena was a recent idea that was part of a bigger plan approved in 2017, that called for a massive shopping center at Potomac Yards and the surrounding area to be redeveloped into 1.9 million square feet of office space, 1.1 million square feet of residential space, 900,000 square feet of retail, 300 room hotel, and 9.3 acres of open space by JPG Smith.

Far too many get stuck in the "paralysis by analysis" stage, thinking they just don't know enough to get started.

Ultimately, good to hear from both sides (pros and cons)  It's not the right one for me and my goals-- but if it helps you get to the next stage, it might be the right one for you.