I recently watched a video where Troy Kearns mentioned he could source a high-quality quartz slab for $100 from China, which got me thinking about exploring similar options.Has anyone here ever imported materials like hardwood floors, countertops, or tiles from China for a project?

There is always risk, and these are highly risky and regulated techniques.

Highly recommended.

I highly recommend the book real estate by the numbers.

I highly suggest you go.And it's VEGAS!!!

But here are the basics of each class.Class A Property:This is the “high-rent district”.

The programs that claim high success, over and over again, are the ones that appear on these forums a few years later with students making claims about misrepresentation by the programs. 

I also see your point about avoiding bargain basement properties, especially insofar as tax shielding is easier with an asset of a reasonable size.Your point about barriers to entry is also interesting, since I suppose those barriers can be geography (natural boundaries of mountains/water), but you're probably referring to that which impedes future construction?

While I’ve considered cash-out refinancing or HELOCs, the high rates make these options less appealing.I’m debating between using cash to acquire more SFRs or diversifying into mixed-use retail properties.

Have you considered fully turnkey properties in high-demand rental markets?