I think the answer lies within several factors:1.  

I have no doubt that the actual backend implementation is messy, both from securities and technology standpoints.

I am just getting started on my REI journey and wanted to see how the rest of the RE world is leveraging technology to meet their unique goals.

Also, the amount of real estate appraisers are declining as a whole because of their age and advancing technology.

There is usually a monthly fee for technology.

I'd be lying if I said a full rehab as my first property doesn't scare me lol.

Then there are the scum bags that lie like a rug to the sellers and try to constantly squeeze additional monies from inexperienced buyers after a contract has been signed.

I was pissed and called up, Marcus and Millichap and asked if it were ever okay for a broker/agent to lie to consummate a deal. 

Or ask the Seller to see their Schedule E: that's the place they get to save on taxes by giving their true utility costs, so they have little incentive to lie and make them look smaller.  

Low ReturnsIt's very hard to discern because of the sheer amount of noise in markets (international trade development, explosive technological advancements, changing demographics, change in geopolitical circumstances, change in banking regulations), but the US economy has been fundamentally weakening over the last fifty years.