So yes by Latin American Standards 500k for a house is a lot but plenty of retired boomers can afford that - or tech employees who want to own property on a perfect surf beach or overlooking a Yacht Harbor.

I moved into my workplace and couch surfed a bit for six months.

This time on the beach and right beside my surf school in some cases. 

Stop acting like this is your couch-surfing buddy or an ex-girlfriend that left a cat and some sweaters behind after a break-up.

I began to doubt entirely if they were legitimate clicks rather than just bot crawlers surfing the web.

but not to look for info to improve my own biz, but just to surf through the various areas I feel well qualified to answer questions on, often from "newbies" who may need just a little pointing in the right direction or other times, unfortunately may need to be given the tough to give answer that they need to reconsider their entire plan, ideas, etc as it may very likely result in money I assume they've worked hard for, going away like a puff of smoke!

Hi Everyone, Ion here again, I'm a REALTOR and Investor from Fayetteville, NC
Just got back from Europe, went there on vacation with my family, to visit western Countries and see relatives and friends in Republic of ...

That seems like it would be a deal-killer for a whole lotta folks.I did, however, do a bit more web surfing and the rents are indeed lower.  

(Surf BiggerPockets, write down questions I have and research them on the web, read credible and updated books by successful investors, join local real estate communities or groups, attend seminars, find a mentor, etc.)Learn how to read the market, how to choose the best location, how to spot a good deal and a bad deal, how to find contractors, building inspectors, find out more things I need to learn!

Too bad Jeffrey Stambovsky wasn't able to do a little Web-surfing before he bought a turreted turn-of-the-century Victorian in Nyack, New York in 1990.