We will only be here in Jacksonville for 3 years so I am shifting my focus to flipping SFH’s.

He is not the most financially savvy and I've found myself in a make-shift financial adviser sort of position, but I feel this would be a good opportunity for me to learn the business and benefit him as well. 

Also, we have been in a shifted market in Philadelphia and the surrounding area for quite some time.

First off, you don't need a ton of cash to invest in real estate, so you need to shift your mindset. 

That's the way it works here.The office may still be in uniform if they have just completed shift, etc. but if not, they will show a badge and identify themselves.

I am assuming this is because the shift in investments from flips to long term hold.

He is probably in a factory right now, working 3rd shift, dust and grease up his nose, let’s write a book with much reality, and give this guy a chanceThe game is not about Real Estate!  

So I will assume the shift key had a malfunction

With a complete understanding of a market you will be able to understand the shifts from buyers to sellers and vice versa and act more quickly than your competitors - Big time advantage!

They just follow what the news is telling them for ( perceived reality) and the herds respond.The poor planners who react are the ones generally having the most negative impacts when things shift and catch them off guard.