Problem numero uno is that too many people are going to college just because they think the diploma is the value and they don't have a particular desire for a path of learning to grow.Problem B is that too many people go into debt to get a college degree when other alternatives are present. 

Sethi believes the following:After inflation, the average return on owning a US residence is zero (Robert Shiller stats)Most people don't factor in the true cost of owning a home (interest, taxes, insurance, maintenance, cap ex, sales commissions)There is a lot of work involved in sourcing and managing rentals (vs alternatives)The masses will not have the perseverance to properly purchase RE investmentsIndex fund investing is easy and provenHe is right on many fronts and is speaking to the masses. 

The thing is I never really get an answer as to where I should be looking for the best options as an alternative.

As an alternative to hard money, you could try to ask for seller financing.

If you're wanting to stop self-showings, open houses are a good alternative as mentioned. 

Also I have heard good things about lvp as being a lower cost alternative to hardwood flooring.

Also, look for alternative ways to finance, or different ways to 'control' a property.  

An alternative is working with a team that's already spent that money for you.

An attorney can get fairly pricey, so is it worth it to spend the $300 for a very well done contract or are there alternatives? 

An attorney can get fairly pricey, so is it worth it to spend the $300 for a very well done contract or are there alternatives?