Crime is very high in Baltimore and I would make sure that I was an expert, not only in the price points of different neighborhoods, but the also the local sentiment. 

That is a sentiment that is echoed endlessly here on BP.

Thanks for echoing my sentiments.

He said, and I could not agree with this sentiment more, that the most important thing, critical to success, is finding people he can trust to help him in these markets, and the level of trust is someone he could trust with his kids!

There are some investors that are interested in long-term, but the sentiment now seems to be that 5-10 years is the MAX that the average person wants to tie up $50-100k.   

I’m glad to hear that sentiment in everyone’s responses (thanks BP).What I am reading in a few of the responses from realtors is that being firm on a percentage is a turnoff, which was my suspicion.

@Cam Chan, I echo @Abel Curiel's sentiment. 

That said, it is helpful to consider market cycles and at present we are a long way into a growth cycle.From an investment success perspective here's what you can do to protect yourself in the event there is a downturnFocus on the right asset – we like the multifamily asset class because multifamily real estate is popular during times of uncertainty because during these times, people prefer renting and because it is valued intrinsically it is less prone to large swings in sentiment which can impact the value of single-family homes.Diversify your Portfolio – real estate has low correlation to stocks and bonds and this makes it a hedge against the stock market.

It would be really helpful.Thanks, BPI'll echo the sentiments others have expressed - if you haven't learned how things are are built, or are just starting out, it's tough to get any trades to work with you for anything less than premium rates.  

@Timothy HeroI don’t agree with your sentiments and I do work with families who rented my properties and client of Choice of Housing (formerly 8 Section).