There are a lot of bad apples out there that make the rest of us guilty by association.

That creates an easy apples to apples comparison and whatever, provides the best cash flow and return on your investment should be the choice. 

I found that going straight to agents, property managers, etc. aren't too helpful because even the bad apples know how to answer any questions you throw at them.

Apples and oranges

Everything from:(1) contract a property manager, (2) analyze lenders apples-to-apples, (3) engage your contractor (and I've even included a document for your contractor to use to provide you itemized bids on work - no more guessing what you are paying for), (4) a lease agreement, (5) a "checklist" of business incorporation items to launch your real estate LLC and (7) even a BRRRR deal analysis spreadsheet so you can know right away if you'll be making a great deal.These legal docs are enforceable in all States.

@Vivek Sapre The market has changed quite a bit given that Tesla and Apple has come into the picture.

Also, work seasonally at Best Buy or the Apple store.I loved games and video games: chess, Quake, Unreal Tournament, StarCraft, Diablo, Civilization, etc.   

but they crashed and burn these past several years)By the way, I own Apple (AAPL), Visa (V), Discover (DFS), Vodafone (VOD), Chevron (CVX) among other rock solid stocks in my 401K but I would sell them in a heart beat if I found a great real estate deal.I believe in diversification for sure - Texas, Indiana, Tennessee, California....are those diversified enough for you?

I really hate to generalize and would not use the word hate at all.Bottom line is the bad apples spoil the reputation for the good people.

Flipping houses, where you buy a property, renovate it, and sell it for a higher price, is an example of a short-term strategy.Both long-term and short-term strategies have their advantages and risks.Long-term strategies offer stability and the potential for steady income, while short-term strategies can provide quick profits but may involve higher risks and more work.The key is to choose the strategy that aligns with your goals and risk tolerance as a real estate investor.5.2 Portfolio DiversificationWhen you hear the word "portfolio," you might think of an artist's collection of paintings.But in the world of finance and investing, a portfolio is a collection of different investments you own, like stocks, bonds, or real estate properties.Diversification is like having a variety of colors in your art palette.Imagine you have a basket of apples.