Syndicators do not collude with each other to keep returns to investors down.

I bought vacant land, built a spec home and sold it to an end user. I know that interest on the acquisition loan can be included in the cost basis since it’s inventory. But what about the interest on a cash out refina...

That’s a 20% return on investment before expenses, down from 26.1% at the same time last year.

Where are most of the better STR returns in Central OR right now?

I don't like the returns but we use regular savings accounts. 

EMD is being returned.

This could easily cost you $10’s of thousands if you plan to stay in the home 5+ years when you return. 

And not to mention no stock matches the dividend rate one can get in real estate with such low risk/volatility. 20yrs ownership, oh-yeah, cash-flow on renting it would be HUGE now so it's easily comparable to a 20%+ monthly dividend, if not more.

Easily 2 decent Class C/D houses with 250k

But just because it is 4 or 5 bedrooms doesn't mean diminishing returns.