For example, I got a phone call a few months back from a father of 3 out in California, he works for Apple.

Hey you literally just proved it with your data lol, that's more than a 0.01% advantage, although to be fair it's apples to oranges because you're targeting a different target market.

It's not always a good thing as explained (there is almost no room to raise rents & squeeze the potential).The 2 examples you brought, are actually apples and oranges: the first one is mixed use (Commercial + Residential on top) so any calculation you have on sqm price & yield is worthless (yields on commercial are always higher, because residential is considered safer....).

I was told to not invest in Hennepin (Minneapolis) or Ramsey (St Paul) because of regulation and oversight and fees (before all this covid and riot stuff) but Dakota county is good (Apple Valley area) but I see a house that looks interesting in Ramsey.

spent a lot of time in JAX, NC in the late 80s at good old CL.2nd mtgs can be fixed or 10y I/O HELOCs, either way, they eliminate the PMI and allows borrowers to divide and conquer their mortgage.rates can range from mid to upper 4s and up

Because everyone teaches and stresses about making money in real estate, but not keeping track of their money.We all talk about individuals making millions and billions like Apple, Microsoft, Amazon and they enjoy the tax savings.

I came across bigger pockets through its excellent podcast on Apple's podcast app and have been hooked on real estate investing ever since. 

-In general I'm not the biggest fan of IO notes unless you know for a FACT that you can get financing and/or you'll use the excess cash flow to add value.

So I been wanting to dip my hands in to the warm and crowded apple pie of REI.

I'm interested in the West Des Moines and Waukee areas due to the data centers being built by Microsoft and Apple.