Redfin operates in plenty of markets where it is illegal to do offer rebates.I think we will see though in the not so distant future some lawsuits against Redfin for anti-competitive practices. 

@Shiloh LundahlDespite my anti-GURU sentiment, I believe many newbies do have an unrealistic perception of real estate as a get rich quick business which breeds that sense of entitlement you see.

As Barry Ritholtz says just today:"someone has to be on the money-losing side of the trade, and it might as well be the anti-science crowd.

Is there any way for a landlord to winter-proof interior plumbing with a drain or pressure-relief valve similar to anti-siphon exterior hose bibs?

Here is an interesting view on that argument:http://www.zerohedge.com/article/guest-post-debunking-anti-gold-propaganda Interesting to read both sides.

By the way, I'm not anti multi family, I have 3 duplexes but I got them at a depressed value (all between 33k and 53k) and the cash flow is good.

I want to help all the time...but that never grants you the freedom from being hurt by such altruism ANY of the time.To wrap up: I used to be very anti-coaching.

Ignoring the valuation question, which is determined according to "highest and best use", which by itself is open to broad interpretation, the majority of these syndications I have seen violate the partnership anti-abuse rules under Treasury Reg Sec 1.701-2 and the substantial economic effect rules of IRC Sec 704(b) and the related regs.The strong majority of these (but not all) dealing with "investors" are nothing more than thinly veiled attempts to sell tax deductions, and the Service and tax courts are quite clear on where they stand on that.According to your profile you're a CPA too. 

@Yonah Weiss no degree, I did have very hight but anti school, Ive had my own business for 5 years

This type of real estate investment is one of the most common forms of real estate investing in the US and has historically never been regulated by the SEC.The only laws and regulations that apply to these types of transactions are local city laws regarding the underlying property, anti-money laundering laws for general real estate transactions, and tax laws around real estate properties and income.