Originally posted by Phillip Gainey:Inflation hedgers have close to doubled their money in the last year or so.Gold, like real estate in the 2000s, technology in the late 90s, etc, is likely in a bubble due to the "irrational exuberance" of investors who think they are outsmarting the system, but in actuality are just acting in herd mentality.Your statement that inflation hedgers have doubled their money in the last year is certainly true, but it's likely based more on speculation than any rational economic performance.As other examples, anyone who has invested in the Dow for the last two years or so has doubled their money as well.

Now, argue your method is actually better based on the math instead of tilting the playing field irrationally.

I'd like to be able to appeal to as broad a demographic as possible, so maybe the answer is write a series of e-books.As far as providing a free service- I tend to disagree with that, subscribing rather to the "Predictably Irrational" theory, that when a consumer is given something for free, they no longer consider it's actual value, which would of course be contrary to my objective.

All your other issues , having to deal with irrational tenant behaviour, is common.

I can only address a couple of them.I am optimistic (irrational??)

You never, ever have to go to the property or put yourself in front of an angry or irrational tenant and/or their bodyguards.

A term screamed by brokers out of irrational FEAR.

.  %= PCF/Cost of investment.I also look at IRR at the end of the year just to get a better understanding of how well the property is performing overall, but I can't pay my bills with non-liquid returns like appreciation, mortgage paydown & tax savings.Just my thought, as this thread shows, everyone has their own metrics, numbers & figures that they use when determining weather a property is a good deal for them or now.

I'm returning to real estate after not making an investment since 2011, so my goal is also to be very mindful not get carried away in irrational exuberance!

Just trying to justify my irrational hatred of chihuahuas ;)