I do need to "hear" some positive boosting talk.

I expect the situation to change dramatically in the next two years. 

If he moved or any number of other circumstances could change the picture dramatically, but he also has a lot of equity to tap if he needed/decided to sell. 

Much of the "growth" reported by retailers has resulted from poaching existing store sales: The American Model of "Growth": Overbuilding and Poaching (November 19, 2013).Once the wheels fall off this model of "growth," chains will enter a cycle of closing marginal stores to boost profits.

In our area you dramatically limit your buyer, as many will not buy with fuel oil especially if the neighbors have gas, and you risk selling for significantly less.

Go to HUD sites, not homes for sale, but the financing, housing regulations, and settlement regulations.Allocate so much of your day for REAL study, not wishful thinking and morale boosting stuff from a guru course.Spend time on sites like BP, interact, ask questions and get answers from those who have been there and done that.

So, while the dollar amount of property changing hands increased dramatically during the bubble (I suspect, I couldn't find specific data), the income per agent didn't increase correspondingly because many new agents joined the business.The article makes a second point.

Plus, the home-ownership rate has fallen dramatically suggesting one big buyer buying up multiple properties in many instances.

Once you buy right (toughest part - the acquisition) than you work on making things work in your favor IE. manage very carefully, have a network of people to turn to who will not rip you off assuming you won't be doing the management yourself.IF you can fully manage and do repairs yourself than that is even better as you won't need to give up this portion of expenses which will in turn boost your return so you are a step ahead.

You can ease them into it because you had previously installed the LEDs and you can show them what a dramatic reduction in cost you have already provided them.