(The complex just got out of litigation and the agent informed me prices are starting to rise 10-30%)2.

If, for instance, you plan to spend it on lifestyle inflation then either option is good, and I would err on the $2500 side just to put a cap on the monthly bleed.Assuming you re-invest the money, $1 today is really better than $1 tomorrow. $400k today is way better than $400k in 13 years (agree with Account Closed).

I don't believe that the current rate of inflation will sustain much longer.

It looks decent, not great but not run-down either, matching its surroundings (low-rise apartment buildings).

People with 0-2 deals are giving out real estate advice, and people (many who are probably in debt) want to become (and do become) REIs which definitely can inflate prices and perceived demand.

prices are inflated right now.  

Though I suppose with an inflated price and thus lesser accounts in the pool they saved you some money on servicing costs while charging you more for the loans.   

Leave most of it in cash while you learn, since there is not much inflation, you are not losing much while you learn, but you can lose a lot if you don't know the difference.If you are looking for a financial planner, find one that is fee only, not fee based. 

All the GCs in our REIAs are way too busy, so their prices are rising;-(Mike

Are the rents stable or rising?