Where once I would have said a college education is the only way to go (there was clear data showing those with a college education made significantly more money over the long haul), now I am not so sure.

...thanks @Mike F. ...it's 2' at the highest point and stretches about 50'...I got a bid for $1650 to haul away the current rotting railroad ties and install the sandstone retaining wall.

We will see a fair number of foreclosures from the guys who bought houses and lots of new toys like 4 wheelers, snowmobiles, trucks, etc. 

The difference is not huge but enough to make the most money motivated folks prefer stocks over rei for the long haul.

Remember you are in this business for the long haul.

It will remain over the long haul on most investments, especially those where the gross income is $1000 per month or less.Looking forward to equity build-up and loan pay-off also has nothing to do with the 50% rule.Here is what you must decide as an individual investor: Are you willing to buy with limited or even negative cash flow for the long-term appreciation and ammortization play?

My business plan and goals call for implementing several real estate strategies over the long haul (buy and hold, rehab, lending, etc), so I use the term investor to encompass all of those.

A 4 year old not getting his way in the toy aisle.Listen to Uncle Bill.

First find out how much it would cost to have the house taken down and hauled away.

You can only buy so many toys, play snobbery games with other well off folks or volunteer your time.