I always thought it was some secret society or a bunch of Wharton grades or MIT PHD's  :)

I do disagree with the marble test as pretty much every 100 year old home has shifted and common and shouldn’t affect value or rent much.

They respond with limiting beliefs based on fear; fear of losing money, and fear of what they don't understand.Our society doesn't encourage the "average" person to accumulate wealth building assets.

Since you don't know how the market will shift, and how you will use/need that money, I would encourage you to frame your letter in a short term time frame (I like the 24 months) so your commitment is reasonable and can be sustained through the period of time you commit to.It sounds like a good template to use for the next one.

Her office has interns and she seems to shift some of the 'tasks' to others in the office.  

TLDR buy rentals.Here's my uneducated opinion (ramble)...The tax bill will permanently shift the country into high gear for a generation or more assuming Congress agrees to extend the rates when the time comes. 

Basically, that shifts the closing costs to come out of the wholesalers profits instead of your initial investment.

The difference between who I am now and who I was a year ago is the single biggest shift in perspective I've ever had in my entire life.

Would a land trust help with shifting funds for purchasing?

We are about to shift back to the states in June after living overseas for 7 years, and we are headed to Kansas City since two of our boys live there.We are not only going to buy our own home with a VA or FHA loan, but I want to start acting on one of my great passions: real estate investing.