Ally Ogar Pros: 1) multiple ways to earn income A) leasing B) listing C) buying D) referral fees 2) you can actually learn the market by being an active broker - which helps you be a better investor 3) discount on your own deals by earning a commission 4) easier to make offers cause you can rep yourself 5) if you invest, you may be able to file taxes as a real estate professional which gives ability to write off virtually everything (check with CPA on that) 6) the better agent you are, the more clients Youll work with (maybe investors if that's your thing) and you'll get to lead them into different areas with diff strategies and you'll get to see first hand how they play out.

Virtually ALL REIAs have 50% new members at a meeting.

A great place to virtually be involved. 

The equity would provide you many choices.As for whether it is a good time: I think San Diego property is in constrained on virtually every side (Ocean, Mexico, Camp Pendleton, too hostile as get to Jamul and beyond) and therefore has a limited supply. 

PROS:  quick access to cash and virtually no transactions costs. 

I have found that 2-4 unit properties virtually do not exist in the DC metro area.

He often paid late with the previous landlord, deals only in money orders, and the records they kept on him are virtually non-existent. 

It's a virtual no-brainer

Farmers also owns Foremost and with the combination of those two companies, virtually all the issues I listed above, are not an issue for them.

@Bobby Larsen  this is virtually how every commercial bank does loans..