You are completely liquid, don't have to take on the risk of failed deals, vendors/partners that steal from you, or trusting a stranger to manage your properties well.I know that "buy index funds, don't buy real estate" was probably not the take that you came here to get, but that's how I see it in the current market unless you want to be a hands on investor.

And here we are, reaping it's failing yet again....

Pointing it out because experienced folks have fails.

His lawsuit and others have no weight.

Using a HELOC for your first flip can be cost-effective due to lower interest rates, but it risks your primary residence if the project fails.

I view this as more problematic because the concept is so elementary anyone with a pulse can do this and many actually execute on bad investment decisions and and will be in a vulnerable position trying to navigate these liabilities while the coaches collected their fees and have no downside when the real estate investment fails.

However, if that effort fails, the local agent is equally liable – criminally and civilly – for any fees, fines, etc. associated with the property." 

Second biggest mistake is failing to realize these construction loans allow draws on improvements meaning cash expenditures are required before the first draw can be issued.

As we are working on our first development, which builds out a failed development from '08-09 and then expands into raw acreage beyond that, I am learning so much.

However, I believe limiting a discussion about Southern Spain exclusively to the Costa del Sol overlooks the diversity of opportunities the region offers beyond mass tourism and highly developed areas.Regarding your comments about my name and the fact that I reside in the Netherlands, I fail to see how this could affect the validity of my observations.