One question on #2 (about the IRA not being allowed to have an, I guess we'll say "Exuberant," or beyond market average return): if an investor purchased any stock in the early years of some major corporations just before their future surge in value (Netflix, Apple, Google, etc), there would be no legal ramifications for the equity appreciation in that non-self directed IRA, right?

A lot of jobs are based in the san jose area - Apple, Intel, NVIDIA and now Google is building a big facility in downtown san jose.

Many internet  companies are moving into the venice area (silicon Beach) and Playa Vista has a number of internet companies, and Apple is moving in.

Adelanto my be less appealing to some compared to areas in Hesperia, Victorville, and Apple Valley but I think it might be a good place to start.

Account Closed I appreciate the great loans you've uncovered, but it's not all apples to apples.

If only for an apples to apples comparison to other investments.

It's like an apple farmer selling his apples to a grocery store, and then whining when the grocery store sells the apple for 5 times more than the farmer got.

Building 1 was leased at $80 sf for 20 years by Apple and building 2 was leased at $80 sf by Pets.com and building 3 was leased at $60 sf to assorted law firms because the owner was skeptical of dot.coms. 

Hi Lorene,Apples and Oranges here.Can't compare a totally vacant apartment building with a semi-performing one.

There were one or two bad apple Broker/Owners who I wouldn't send anyone to.