If the first floor is too weak to hold the second and other floors, on ##.# magnitude earthquake, then it is not safe, and this is how they identify as soft-story. 

If we take the Fed at their word, and if we forego any concerns about increasingly weak global economic growth, there is certainly more risk that rates move quickly higher vs quickly lower.

. - Recognize there is always some measure of risk and be ok with that (by making sure you are not risking EVERYTHING and then have a just-in-case plan)- Know my own strengths and weaknesses- Overcome weaknesses by putting myself in uncomfortable situations that force me to perform or sink.

I don't have a license and do not intend to get one. but, it really depends on what your strengths and weaknesses are. 

I know my strengths and weaknesses and looking to take real estate investing to another level.Feel free to PM me or post in this thread.Cheers.

He has taken every penny I had & is an expert in buying, selling, trading, deeds, grants, & he knew I was a weak unexperienced woman & premeditated to steal my money, I was never told that I had to have the note recorded I thought that was his job I just signed the paper & he said ok done!

I don't make my properties perfect and let tenants know that maintenance is an ongoing thing' and that older properties have certain characteristics and weaknesses that newer properties don't have.

However, as Joel pointed out, buying in a down market with a weak economic base & poor employment can be more like trying to catch a falling knife.  

It is a weak area of mine, but I know it is very important in regards to investing and RE in general.

The premise of the blog post is that you can randomly pick a city, analyze its financials, identify strengths and weaknesses, and then decide if you should take a deeper dive and start identifying ripe neighborhoods and potential properties.