"I have carefully reviewed the HUD-1 Settlement Statement and to the best of my knowledge and belief, it is a true and accurate statement of all receipts and disbursements made on my account or by me in this transaction.

Its my belief that contracts vary state to state and that there are several different types.

A Realtor has a set a guidlelines that they must stay within, Some call it ethical believes I consider there beliefs of ethics to be a lack of lateraul thinking skills which limits them to a commission(but not denying there are legal guidelines).

So my belief is the cause and effect is more likely in the reverse direction: RE is rising so interest rates rise. 

My belief is if he had that kind of money, why not pay the mortgage.

I just ripped out a 32 month old carpet that was trashed beyond belief, for example (lesson - no carpet in rentals.)

for these offices...also, I have received homes donated through religious organizations...my business plan is to fill the park with homeless veterans

Originally found BP from the podcast which like @Hadar Orkibi a mate of mine locally, I listen to religiously and save a number of episodes specific to my interests to go back over when I find time on the end of a paint brush ;-). 

We could get into my personal beliefs on the circumstances that creates the hood but I would probably get kicked off this site, lol, and it is different from the point I was trying to make in regards to RE investing.  

@Russell Brazil is exactly on point, 2% rule works when the properties are cheap cheap cheap.The rule stems from the belief that (a) half of gross rent will go towards expenses, and (b) .6-.7 of the rent goes towards the mortgage payment. 2%-1%-.7% = .3% monthly profit.It's a very conservative formula, but just explaining why some investors stick to it.