I'd contend that we are in a recession now.

In Punta Cana, you'll have tho contend with the fact that most visitors want to stay in all-inclusive resorts and you can't compete against that while, in Tulum, you might have to contend with overbuilding of epic proportions and the ensuing competition.

I'm sorry you got sucked into that thinking it was a legitimate real estate course, you'd be better off forgetting the old rent/lease to own concept as now you have Dodd Frank to contend with, that's federal law.The only way you can hold on to a property is by not selling it, so are you saying your tenants can't buy?

If it comes to eviction having a co-signer is another layer to contend with in the process.  

I contend that for some properties, curfew like rules (e.g. regulating unattended minors) as spelled out in Figure 6-6 may be well received by tenants.

@Athena Lei - I may not be "pro" status on this board, but can say that I do inform my property manager in advance that I want to be kept in the loop as to who the "top contenders" are before a selection is made. 

But you will get people looking at a worse property to achieve a percentage metric than translates into very little marginal income.Tip: If $20 per month represents such a material change that it would sway a buy/no-buy decision...don't get into real estate :) You will have WAY bigger issues over the years to contend with.

Buy below market valueWhich of the above makes this a worthy contender in your mind?

However I contend that is not characteristic of the general investor - the majority get marginal deals.

The further into the future you go, the more what-ifs you must contend with.