The truth is, you could read 100 books and still not know enough because certain things need to be learned through trial-and-error.

This was my first year investing in real estate and I purchased two properties (a duplex and a single- family that I house-hack) read numerous books, listened to dozens of podcasts, and met a number of successful investors through real estate meet-ups.

Other than asking on BP or trial and error any advice for finding a a good contractor here in town?

I get to step three but when I go to post my discussion, I get an error saying the event location must be specified any guidance from the members/administrators would be helpful.Wes

There could still be some type of error, etc as mentioned by the daughter but you would at least have an idea of the magnitude.

I started my real estate learning about 2 months ago and though I'm about a year from buying my first deal at this point I have talked to mentors, read numerous forum posts, and books and have made a more concrete plan.

She has received numerous offers over listing price ($510k), but every offer requires it to be delivered vacant.

With this in mind and knowing that RE is a lot more hands on, which is both more room for error and more time spent, then logic tells us that if one wanted to limit themselves to one or the other for whatever reason, and the goal was return on time invested, then stocks clearly win.

Half of that $40k could get eaten up in a rehab estimate error alone.

I have contested my property taxes on numerous occasions and have not had as much luck as you.