this is advice my daddy's real estate attorney gave me and him back in the middle 70's deals are like street cars there is one on every corner.take your time do not be in a rush.. do not get greedy and chase the highest returnssticking close to home is often a good strategies and Real estate is not the end all be all there could be some other opportunities that present themselves especially in the tech heavy area you live. 

It's not all about "you" it's about how one deals.It would be fine if they were dealing with cars or shoes, personal property, but real property is a different world. 

It's like CarMax, people still trade in their cars to other dealers at wholesale prices even though CarMax practices a similar model.What I don't understand is how do they operate on such thin margins if the market shifts to a buyers market or even just a softer sellers market?

@Domin Car, just call the housing authority and speak with them about it.  

Personally I donate to every kettle I see, I round my change up, give a donation to every pancake breakfast for a charity, spaghetti dinners, fundraiser for every child with a disease or that has been in a car accident I can.

For what it's worth, I'd estimate my yearly expenses in Hawaii at a reasonable $60k per annum.. this includes eating out for 80-90% of meals, driving a lowish mpg car with full coverage insurance, and 2-3 international trips to Asia per year.Now, not sure who you were talking to that needed to work 3 jobs to earn $60k/year. 1 or 1.5 modest jobs could surely cover that!

But then, they park their car a block away where there was plenty of space out front, so I figured something was fishy.

Factors for consideration: I have 2 young children in car seats and that is pretty cramped in the fusion.

I was always told that if a mechanic started diagnosing your car based on what you tell him the symptoms are, you need to find a new mechanic.  

Both built in 1980, both 3 bed, 2 bath, 2 car garage, 1200 square feet.