In a similar fashion, if you can imagine how much landscaping and underground infrastructure is in a golf course as compared to the clubhouse, that will give an indication of why an extremely high percentage of the property's value is allocated to the land improvements.The "lazy 1031" can be executed with a direct investment yourself, or through a passive investment in a syndication with a sponsor who is taking the bonus election.

I know the Real Estate Commission complaint won't get me anywhere in a timely fashion.

These institutions are regulated in the same fashion as a mainstream brokerage or bank that holds IRA accounts, but have a different business model that allows for transacting in non-traditional assets such as real estate.Advisors/Facilitators are providing the legal and advisory services that a custodian will not.  

If you like your old-fashioned deadbolt and want a great lock box, I use a $38 Master Lock with light-up dials.  

. :-)I have been in real estate in some form or fashion for quite a while.

That generally means an old fashion hard and long work ethic.

My end goal is to be a long-term buy and hold investor with a job in real estate in some way form or fashion (preferrably an agent). 

There are attorneys that market aggressively to pick up 2x security deposit cases, but based on my conversations with 2 attorneys, they are very selective with regard to which cases they bring before a judge.What I believe really saved me from having to pay this fine is that attorneys arguing these cases are conscious of their reputations with judges, and they are not likely to take on a client's case based solely on a technical violation if the tenants' security deposit was returned in timely fashion.

I am trying to find an Eastern (preferably Northeastern) CT meet-up and/or REIA so that I might start making connections and discuss real estate in a more localized fashion.  

I most certainly plan to continue my REI education the good ol' fashion way by picking up some books.