Also, what key factors are influencing your decisions?

@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.

On the other hand, true private lenders are not professional lenders and hedge fund type lenders (which is what hard money lenders are), but instead are regular people in your circle and sphere of influence.

In general, I don't believe any of them are fully right or wrong, but I have built my own system and theory based on various influences.

It seems there’s a common misconception largely influenced by social media, online courses, and influencers who oversimplify the process that real estate is an easy, passive way to generate income with minimal effort.

COI stands for circle of influence or circle of interest?

I found that I would call the following lists.FSBOsFRBOs (For rent by owner)Expired ListingsCOI (Center of Influence)Randum DialsRandom dialing is harder these days do to the advent and popularity of the cell phone however I have found that car magazine listings and junk sale listing s are a good resource.

FSBOs FRBOs (For rent by owner) Expired Listings COI (Center of Influence) Random DialsRandom dialing is harder these days do to the advent and popularity of the cell phone however I have found that car magazine listings and junk sale listing s are a good resource.

Much like building your referral program, marketing to your center of influence is widely underutilized.

(Probably because I have gone back and listened to it 4-5 times) But also getting started at 18 y/o, your story about laying the foundation and writing a bad check is something I keep thinking back too and will never forget.Thank you for your influence in my career and life and to others as well.