The broker here may not understand the difference and as such they have distorted some details which are of merit.  

So there's some merit in still pursuing that avenue with your accounting professionals.

I've done my due diligence with regards to finances (paying down non-productive debt, accumulating cash reserves) and have begun reading all of the recommended books per the ultimate beginners guide.I need some assistance in the following areas:Analyzing deals: I have calculator (link) that uses assumptions to determine if the property merits further investigation.

While the complaints are based on something of merit, they are also a bit exaggerated.  

Let it succeed or fail on its own merits.

I think it has merit and potential.Remember for real estate agents when NAR would send a letter and you electronically sign and then tens of thousands of letters go to Congress etc on a specific issue NAR is fighting?

The reason is that sometimes the two viewpoints are conflicting, and you need to weigh the merits of both in making decisions.

I do think there is lots of merit to local lenders because they know the area. 

If there were enough pests to merit a treatment and re-treat, was there really 0 damage?

It's the only way to understand Investing in any kind of Investment.Of the 500 students who took the class, Adults like you and me, some without College degrees, some with PH.D.s a full range of rich and poor..... only about 30 students were able to get past the 3rd Level exam, which basically made you calculate the Internal Rate of Return of any investment, especially Real Estate.Of that 30 students, about 20 of them pulled the Trigger as their Analysis proved that there was merit in buying an Investment Property, particularly in Brooklyn and close by.One student in particular, made $2 Million, again, on a Clinton Hill property.Most of the other students, made somewhere between $50k and $1 Million.Some of those 20 are now my partners.