Originally posted by George P.

I used the same strategy Ken George did --I looked for local businesses that had neat, professional landscaping, made a note of the plants they used, and then went plant shopping.  

I agree with the philosophy that George subscribes to.

My wifey DID allow me to build a new home every 2 years in St George, Utah.

Thank you @George Blower, JD and @Steve Janiak for the helpful information.  

Dear George, Denny, and Tom:Thank you so very much. 

@Yakini PierceVery good info above from @ashish acharya and @George BlowerHowever,  it is “possible” to use an employer 401k to purchase RE -it doesn’t have to be a solo 401k. 

Severely Distressed Housing Price Index (HPI) ‐ 6 Trailing Months (annualized)ConnecticutWindham 09015 ‐3.50%MarylandSaint Mary’s 24037 ‐4.88%New JerseySomerset 34035 ‐0.53%Cumberland 34011 ‐8.02%New YorkMontgomery 36057 ‐5.03%Madison 36053 ‐5.11%Schenectady 36093 ‐5.60%Tioga 36107 ‐5.78%PennsylvaniaColumbia 42037 ‐1.23%Lackawanna 42069 ‐1.88%Pike 42103 ‐11.40%Schuylkill 42107 ‐4.13%VirginiaPulaski 51155 ‐1.39%Prince George 51149 ‐14.79%Goochland 51075 ‐14.94%CaliforniaPlumas 06063 ‐0.25%FloridaOkeechobee 12093 ‐4.74%GeorgiaPickens 13227 ‐0.35%

Of course George has already provided an eloquent explanation of why I will always prefer cash flow over investing solely for appreciation so no need to iterate that here.If you have paid for property you can handle a loss of value if the market sours, so even a bad bet isn't necessarily a show stopper with non-cash flowing property.

Originally posted by @George P.: This rule is such crap.