The real estate "news" doesn't help much in my opinion, because they focus far too broadly with median home prices etc. what I think you are looking for is what is realistic to achieve in various markets, and unfortunately there is no consistent guide that I have found anywhere to explain this. 

Focus on how you can earn.

I did work in RE in Spain actually, at the bottom of the financial crisis I started an investment advisory firm and we focused in commercial.For my next stage, I want to do multifamily and I do not see the appeal to do it in Spain right now (laws clearly favor the tenant and can make your life quite hard as a landlord).Are you currently investing there?

Carswell if you are still a student , and studying real estate my first step of advice would be to focus on school and getting good grades.

With all these new apartment complexes being built out, I wonder if smaller investors should focus on single family homes?

If a deal doesn't make sense, focus your energy into finding a deal that does, instead of wishing this one did. 

I personally believe that times are changing and you need to focus on advertising and getting directly to the owner on their cell phone.

Focus on paying high interest loans and on maximizing your income, that will help your financial position when applying for a loan. 

We are all a bit too 'busy' for our own good and it can be hard to focus.

Right now, my focus is flipping houses.