One can write a lot on a piece of paper and tenants will sign it - and then promptly forget about all of it and misplace their copy.

@Tove Fox - Residential Real Estate InvestingPros:Lower Entry Costs: Easier to get started with less capital required.High Demand: People always need homes, making demand relatively stable.Easier Financing: Mortgages are generally easier to secure with favorable terms.Simplicity: Easier to understand and manage, especially for beginners.Flexibility: You can use it as a personal residence or rent it out.Cons:Tenant Turnover: More frequent turnover leads to vacancy and more management.Lower Cash Flow: Income potential can be modest compared to commercial properties.Emotional Buyers: Residential prices can be influenced by emotions, leading to price volatility.Maintenance Burden: Landlords often deal with repairs and maintenance, which can be time-consuming.Commercial Real Estate InvestingPros:Higher Income Potential: Stronger cash flow and higher returns are common.Long-Term Leases: Tenants often sign longer leases (3-10 years), reducing vacancy risk.Professional Tenants: Business tenants tend to take better care of the property.Valuation Based on Income: Prices are based on the income the property generates, not market emotions.Shared Costs: Tenants often cover property expenses like taxes, insurance, and maintenance (via triple-net leases).Cons:High Entry Costs: Requires more capital or partnerships to get started.Complex Management: More expertise is needed; you may need a professional property manager.Economic Sensitivity: Commercial properties are more sensitive to economic conditions.Challenging Financing: Securing financing can be harder, with stricter terms and higher interest rates.Zoning and Legalities: More complex regulations compared to residential properties.Key Differences:Risk: Residential tends to be lower risk, while commercial offers higher rewards but with greater risk.Management: Residential is easier for DIY investors, while commercial properties usually require a team.Scalability: Commercial properties are easier to scale, offering more potential for significant cash flow increases.

They can bless off on it after a civil engineer signs off.

In Alabama the utilities being turned off is a sign of abandonment so we would not have put it in our name.

When he became the first relief pitcher in MLB to sign a $100k contract and asked what he was going to do with all that money (this was 1968) he said “ 90% I’m going to spend on wild women, Irish whiskey and good times; the other 10% I’m just going to throw away”.  

We signed a 3 year lease with your tenant for you.  

I've owned and continue to own both, and there is no way someone can tell me with a straight face they spend less time getting a lender, giving them 80 documents, clarifying documents, talking to a seller, signing contracts, hiring a property manager (or managing yourself), bookkeeping, managing repairs, insurance and hoa setup, sending the lender more documents vs. vetting a sponsor and wiring money.I'm have very good luck with my rentals and I spend very little of my life on them, but that very little is STILL 5-10X what I spend on passive investments.One missed payment or eviction is added stress; you don't even hear about this as a passive investor.

If that co-signer isn't in a position where you can force them to pay if things go sideways, then the fact that they co-signed is just a promise and you can't cash a promise!

@Jeet Sangha You need to sign a Deed Restriction for Owner-Occupancy.

They then decided to scale, hired Joe Namath as a spokesperson (I know, right there that’s the sign this was headed for disaster) and went around the country drumming up interest in investing in their newly formed REITs.