One of the terrible pieces of advice I received was from 2 people who suggested that I sell my California SFH rental (with lots of equity) to "cash flow" more and "acquire more doors" by doing a 1031 exchange into an apartment complex OOS or buy multiple SFHs/duplexes OOS.

Most, in fact nearly all, of the terrible situations I've encountered in this business were FSBO/DIY sales gone sideways.

Or, it could be that the cashflow you are seeing is great for Washington, but terrible for that area.

Another reason I don't like the plan is that focusing on cashflow ignores the fact that you are getting a terrible return on your equity. 

I have seen places in terrible locations get great returns because in managing it they knew how and where to market it. 

Jax #s are similar to Cleveland without the snow, ice and TERRIBLE " working environment". 

Cook County is terrible when it comes to this. 

If it was terrible tell me why it was terrible! 

If you are too busy to do that then I wouldn't spend the money.For the most part, I have found purchased lists to be terribly expensive for probates, and I am lucky I can get those leads easily.Sharon

A 60 yr old investor with a $30 mil net worth is in a completely different position than a 30 yr old investor with a $25k net worth--a "good deal" for one might be a terrible deal for the other.In real estate, there are no simple rules that you can always follow in all circumstances because RE involves so many moving pieces...you have to make a list of all of the relevant factors for a deal, and make a decision based on that, and your own circumstances.