This is just general business that applies to any venture.Then, if you select real estate, and assuming you want a long term successful business, you're attitude is to act ethically and fairly then you can begin learning those paths to take.Real estate is a basic function of our economy, it carries legal, social, health and welfare, economic and financial aspects that must be understood to successfully invest or operate in this industry.

Have to keep in mind your debt to income ratio for the long-term though if financing - that would be something I wish I understood in the beginning.

I'm just making sure I have all different options thoroughly understood to prevent falling into an expensive decision as a default

On the other hand, one who is not familiar will push you away from many great real estate investments in favor of better understood markets like ETFs and mutual funds.

J certainly is, and for someone like myself who works in the "business optimization" world (really hate this terminology, but its widely understood, so...) 

It will be clarified and better understood in the coming months.

While I did not sign anything naming him as my agent (I've never done that in any RE purchase, at least here in Indiana), it seems pretty evident that it was understood he was my agent as well as the seller's agent.I plan to sit with the agent and managing broker at lunch today, share my concerns and thoughts, but NOT sign anything and simply tell them I need to look over it by myself at home. 

Did you know the floor/foundation had issues, and was it understood and written down to have it fixed?

Sorry I didn't see your previous response to me.If I understood your post, you have a 1031 and the numbers are going to be tight. 

I never understood how people can just ignore stone cold proof just to pick something that is proven not to work, just because of emotion.As for web presence and SEO, be careful., I have yet to come across anyone that does it right.