They could have used that money for much better investments that would have allowed them actual financial freedom.People look at tax deferment as if it is some pot of gold that then dictates their very life.

Im not a tax expert but it seems like this would be an important distinction as the fundamental structure of the financing is different and dictates who is earning interest income.

The local investors will need to know their local real estate and rental markets and depending on the infrastructure the investor has in place or is willing and able to build, that will dictate how much time and effort they would need to contribute.

Each market, each submarket and each mall will dictate the use of this space.I don't think online shopping, per se, is killing malls.  

@Jeff SkinnerRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Your risk tolerance will dictate which type of property is most suitable for you.

@Adam OrtizRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

They will also dictate the terms of the loan, how it's filed, qualifications, etc.However, if you mean PML as in your friends/family that have NO experience in real estate and just have money sitting around...then I would certainly to counsel you to lean on some type of mentor or other experienced investor in Houston on what to do. 

Supply and demand doesn't automatically dictate what the $$$$ end up as.11 - What does this really mean? 

@Venecia BaezRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a Class A property in Class D area, what quality of tenant will you get?