I am not saying histroy will repeat becase these last 30 years have been a hell of a roller coaster and aside from the COI and admin charges, a whole life policy has generated about 4-4.25% dividends and most policy holders automatically reinvest the dividends or in this case simply let the dividends compound.

I'm usually laughing and cheering, as if I were on a roller-coaster.

I am a commercial real estate broker as well as an investor.I would say what has made me successful is the WILL to never QUIT.When I get on a workout machine I go for an hour doing cardio.Most will do 15 minutes,some 30,a few 45,hardly any will go 60.When I run a marathon my mind wants to quit before the body but I push on.The last part of finishing takes the most mental toughness and a will not to quit.You will need this skill in real estate.Making a deal happen will be like being on a roller coaster with many highs and lows.It has taken me a year to close a deal before.When I was assembling land deals I had to talk to the owners sometimes 50 times and it took 6 months to agree to terms and get under contract for the developer I was working with.It will take a lot of time and blood,sweat and tears in the beginning but it will build toughness and character.Remember if it was easy anyone would do it.Their is competition in EVERYTHING you do.You have to find something you enjoy and then strive everyday to be the best at it.Work it like a business and constantly gain more knowledge and develop systems to maximize your time.When I close a hard deal that takes a long time I get a great satisfaction that I made a deal work that many would have just quit on.

However, the biggest contributing factor to the local real estate roller coaster is that Californians come in and pay way too much for properties because they look cheap compared to California prices.

Hello All:Finally, I am getting off of this get-rich-in-real-estate roller coaster ride and getting back to the basics.

You would be surprised what a roller coaster this is.

@Chantz IrelandInheriting tenants is a roller coaster ride for a few months. 

I thought it would be fun to keep a deal diary to see the roller coaster that these projects can be and how plans can change.

It has been a roller coaster ride of emotions and has shown me that I really enjoy real estate and would love to make it my career.

Excellent summary of the day to day mental and emotional roller coaster that goes along with flipping a house.