Yesterday I attended a meeting of Connecticut Real Estate Investor Association and it felt like it was primarily occupied by people who knew little about real estate and wanted to be spoonfed information by an expensive coaches?

But if I am understanding correctly I can pull my basis out of the REIT without paying capital gains, so to Brandon's point, I may consider pulling a % of my basis out each year to re-invest elsewhere and hopefully keep most of my taxable shelter in place. 

Most people have an incomplete understanding of their own home market and only see/understand a part of it.

I'm looking for the most creative things people have seen or can think of, irrespective of how impactful it actually is to the bottom line or how much it would cost CapEx-wise.

I understand it isn't required and could vary depending on which type of investing he gets into.  

As such, we decided to include a fairly large island which can comfortably seat 10 people.

Hey all you land trust junkies I just got an e mail from a title company in MO that closed a deal a few years ago and the buyer put it in a land trust they are trying to sell .. but the title company wont insure it as they claim land trust are not legal entities in MO.so title needs me to do a new deed to clean up title which of course we will do.. but just think if the sellers in other situations were not in the bizz like us and would not understand or respond or you cant find them all those land trust are dead in the water currently.  

Except for contracts that specify that and violations of specific laws that allow for that for the most part people end up paying their own legal fees.

First, I understand and empathize that a sold price reduction F's them on the entire development and all the other units to be sold, so I don't go there. 

As you seek financing, spend some time to try and understand your position as the borrower along with your risk and the risk of a lender if you were the lender.