:) It's amazing to me the opportunity that the Real Estate provides the average person to have financial security and not be tied to a traditional 'day job'.  

One has a balance of 22k with 12 years remaining at 5.375% (I had refinanced to a 15 year mortgage 3 years ago and started double payments) the other has a balance of 40k with 23 years remaining at 7.5% and paying PMI. 

Interesting to see how the number of investors has plummeted in the last few years yet the average interest rate has remained remarkably stable.

Often the residents or the 3rd party have no intention of buying the property, but will tie it up so they can extort money from the buyer or seller of the property.

., EU and many parts of Asia Pacific are spending gains from rising incomes, low interest rates and low oil prices, which should support GDP growth.Rents | In 2016, global prime rents across the three major property types—office, industrial and retail—are expected to grow 2.2% on an annual basis, according to estimates from CBRE’s Global Rent Index.Capital Markets | Global commercial real estate investment markets are expected to remain active in 2016, but the pace of growth is anticipated to slow after six years of recovery and price appreciation.Office | Most U.S. and European office markets are expected to tighten further in 2016 as demand for space is expected to outpace limited new development.

I've been using the same two page contract to tie up millions of dollars of real estate for years.... 

First things that come to mind though:- Does the grandfathered status remain if the building is torn down (many times it does not; as well, grandfathered status is often lost if the property has been vacant for X period of time).- Is there room to add to the existing good duplex and stay within the setbacks?

Miller and @Christine Travis I'm trying to remain optimistic.

By the time I close, the last few remaining budget items are quoted. 

Don't get me wrong, 90% of the stuff on the MLS isn't a deal and the remaining 10% is only worth a second look.