I just separated from active duty as an intelligence analyst and decided I wanted to do something that I enjoyed, not just something that was an easy paycheck.

I have been told by several trustworthy people that I am highly intelligent, or wise, or smart. 

The key is to make intelligent offers based on what is happening in THAT neighborhood's market THAT day.And thanks for be professional and considerate enough to ask the question.

I also saw the rent being marketed was really at the top of that neighborhood, and the proforma expenses were artificially very low.  

Takoma Park in particular with their low threshold of 2 units creates these artificial ghettos where all their multifamilies are located.

I tried to read the Intelligent Investor but it went way over my head.

I'm educating myself now not only through a higher education but also by learning about financial intelligence and becoming financially literate so I will have a brighter future.

BP has some of the most experienced, and intelligent real estate investors, lenders, partners, developers, contractors, property managers, architects, etc. anywhere.

Property flipping becomes illegal and a fraud for profit scheme when a home is purchased and resold within a short time frame at an artificially inflated value."

True, the REI content was salted with sales pitch and conditioning every step of the way, however an intelligent person ought see through that and be able to separate the REI content from pitch.