Investing for appreciation is not always the smartest idea, but if you plan to hold for 10+ years, you should be able to ride the waves of the economy and come out ahead.

They also have to ride  a fine line of fiduciary duty because they are almost implied agency working with the tenant as the buyer trying to help too much.I just do not see much upside for a broker/agent to do this unless they are desperate for any business that comes their way.On the commercial real estate side I get calls all the time for consulting work to step in mid deal that a buyer was doing themselves etc.

Well I am not sure of the legality of this but nobody would just make a  business name up to use that isn't claimed by them in some fashion.

The one thing to note is that cap rate measures desirability in an inverse fashion (i.e. the lower the cap rate the more desirable the property is).We can think of cap rates as simply exchange rates (i.e. as in foreign currencies).

If you aren't willing to ride the peaks and the valleys then this type of investment isn't for you.

My husband has a background in construction and worked in product development for home and fashion for 5 years.

A Solo 401(k) is a simplified version of such a plan for owner-only businesses.IRA's have low contribution limits.  401(k) plans have high contribution limits.The retirement component of these plans is the same whether the plan is in a conventional bank or brokerage and limited to investing in financial products, or if it is self-directed and therefore able to invest more broadly.Both IRA and 401k plans can be setup in a self-directed fashion and invest in real estate.

It's fun to play for real.Recently refinanced my commercial building at $600,000 to do a development - tripled my net worth - it was a little scary - but it workedSold a house for the need of $50,000 to invest for a higher return - better equity position nowReal estate is almost like Monopoly - I could never win the board game - but excelled in real life - great ride when you have family supportI think to really make it in this business  -  you need to do something in real estate daily - don't wait until the mood or the available time to do something is convenient - be positive --- do it NOW - time is the measurement of your financial goals and life ------- make calls - write offers - market - look at real estate - read/study, talk to people you want to emulate.  

It's a great ride!

My husband and I are putting a lot on the line to make an educated, well thought out go of this (we have two young kids which means it's not just s risk for ourselves; they're along for this ride).