Mortgage rates are based on the trading of Mortgage Backed Securities (MBS).

You can’t talk someone into selling at a discount, but you can find people in situations that are willing and anxious to trade equity for speed and ease of close.

Having marketing skills can be a huge plus in real estate investment.

I totally agree with her statement and know most of the trade offs.

This is a people business and you may not realize the people skills and insight you already have.

Apartments REITs such as AvalonBay, Equity residential etc are trading at 30-40% lower from their peaks.

Costar sees signs of multifamily trouble: Multifamily cap rates risingLooks like investors finally starting to demand real cap rates and multifamily will begin trading on present performance and not future rents. 

You definitely do not want to do the work yourself unless its very minor stuff and you have the tools, skills, experience and time.

Like most engineers, I'm quite introverted and therefore my interpersonal skills are not the greatest. 

This is investment property not yet used in carrying on a trade or business therefore they fall under 164(a)(2).