The good generalists will preform a variety of tasks and be easier to negotiate with.Frank R

The variety of strategies and techniques is very vast and a bit intimidating. 

In my day job, I work in the legal field where I represent clients in a variety of matters including real estate transactions (purchases, leases, landlord/tenant issues, etc.).  

In fact, there have been many forums where all the various varieties have been detailed.

For me reasons include: better able to be a niche salesperson e.g. investors, in a metro area with a lot of opportunities to expand e.g. property management, loving the unique character of the region e.g. historic homes, wide variety of unique amenities, FOOD, and I've put in a lot of hours getting to know the local market.Small towns may have opportunity to dominate the market pretty quickly, but it also doesn't take many agents to oversaturate.

But the more I read and reserch the more this business starts to reveal.

Stocks aren't necessarily bad, but I think @Manolo D. was getting at the wide variety of advantages to real estate investing that are available to you.

They allow you to chose from a  variety of screening reports and services. 

@Rod Hanks Most actionable post on this thread.I created the PETIO model as a format to quickly assess a wide variety of situations:Property - Estimate of as-is and after-repaired valueEquity - estimated balances of all mortgages, cost(s) to cure, payments/mo.

.* For a frameless cabinet, the reveals are large and unsightly.