Instead they've somehow been brainwashed into rinse-dry-repeat formulas that lack foresight.

When the storm broke and search and rescue found him he was leading his companion out in perfect shape, warm, and dry, on the trail home in a fairly bad storm.I always told them the truth. 

Quote from @Leonard Rybak: Quote from @Greg Scott:Please share an investment that offers 20% plus returns Almost every real estate investment I have made has had returns in excess of 20%, both single family and multifamily.  

2) I’ve allowed pets for 20+ years and have yet to have pet damage in excess of the security deposit. 3) once you’re vacant an extra month you could have replaced the carpet with the lost rent. 4) what’s the plan when you wait all this time and then your tenant brings in their ESA dog?

If they continually kill deals they will get a reputation and the Realtor referrals will dry up and they will have little work.

The client may deem a $500 bill to replace 3 pieces of wood siding excessive but it's legitimate.

They will let you hang to dry. 

If someone is working with a lower balance of funds like I am, than I'm more likely to prefer cashflow so that I can continue to afford the property as well as my life style.If I had some disposable income that was in excess of what I need to live on, than I'm more inclined to look forward towards appreciation because I would have enough wealth to take the hit now for the bigger payment in the future. 

As someone who had (still have) STRs at the GR with a current population in excess of 20 million within a 2 hour drive (not sure what population was as GR, but it was high), I can state their theory was BS for the GR.  

I learned that April and May are seasonally slow for rentals, since most people seem to move in the summer, and also that the market here in Wesley Chapel, FL is a bit saturated with excess inventory from all the new construction activities in the area.Did you work with any real estate professionals (agents, lenders, etc.) that you'd recommend to others?