We have been in a crazy search for yield at the global level with worldwide rates so low and so cash for real estate for the big boys and gals (talking 7/8/9 figures here) became BOTH a profit center and a safety play.

RE's "fountain of youth" of 10-12% cash on cash returns work for @Brandon Turner, but he's a pro with a global network at this point in his investing career with a lot of advantages that most of us don't have. 

In most cases, there is more work in buying investment homes and considering the commissions are likely to be smaller, a Realtor could (strong emphasis on could) be motivated to get a deal closed without the investors best interest. 

That’s what the folks at CBRE are saying in the global investment and research firm’s 2018 Tech-30 report, which measures the top 30 tech markets in North America.

My story is pretty similar hehe, I was in something like 2nd grade and had waaaay more "ignorance" of the global market collapsing around me.

But as I grew my portfolio more and more, the banks started looking more at my ratios for my global financial situation.

I am also responsible for global warming.

Emphasis mine.

I think I mentioned in the last thread about your global financial statement and how these properties may make it harder for you to grow a portfolio because of the low cash flow to debt ratio.

So, I dropped down to a BS in Building construction and contracting with an emphasis in structural engineering.