Unfortunately, fortunately, the land is the same size as the neighboring houses, so I decided not to challenge its value.

But again, with commercial you can end up spending a fortune if you do all of those things on every property you're interested in. 

I was fortunate enough to purchase my first SFH in a peaceful area in the city where parking is somewhat scarce (I can always find it rather easily but the neighbors are very protective over it).

I was also fortunate that was when the market was heating up and I was buying on the fringe of good areas.

The proud history of local manufacturing has created an extensive, impressive registry of national companies that have called Connecticut home, including many of the Fortune 500.

Plow ahead a good fortune to you and yours.

I've been fortunate to acquire 4 sfh over the past 10 years, living in 1 and renting the others.

We were also fortunate enough to work with a realtor who was patient with us and willing to put in more effort than us to find something that worked for us.  

Fortunately, it wasn't to bad.

in certain markets I total agree with shiller.... but in other markets like prime West coast and east coast.. were appreciation is king.. many fortunes and retirements have been made on that lowly owner occ SFR.