@Kurt GranrothNo matter if your projections worked out they way you thought or what the S&P did I think you'll do well in your investing journey over the long term since you have the psychological make up that few investors do: 1. you put your investing thesis to paper and in a public forum to boot, which makes it hard to have rose colored glasses when looking back in hindsight; both for failure and success. 2.

This includes developing a two-pronged framework to guide the client during their decision making process: - The agent should understand the nature of markets (I mean this from a psychological perspective, in addition to the "know your market" adage). - The agent needs to internalize the margin of safety concept - buying an asset for way less than you think it's worth. 

Compare this to heuristic, a similar concept used in mathematical discourse, psychology and computer science, particularly in algorithm design.There are so many MORE expenses and benefits to a rental property that are not even covered in the 50% "rule of thumb."

The thing I do like about year leases is the psychological component.

Buying units for condo conversion is more speculative than anything else, and while it may or may not say anything about the market, it says volumes about the participant's psychology.

This does not screw up the regular rent due on the 1st.Giving a discount for early payment sets up a psychological incentive to pay on time.

Don't try to guess motivations and psychology too much.

It's outright human psychology. 

Just carefully read the above story.Your desire for your first rental to be a huge success is understandable, but it is also just a psychological desire that doesn't correspond well to your overall success.Buy right, work hard, persist in the face of adversity.

The Sky is Falling on the Emperor,...and his new clothes".There is a psychological explanation for this.