Many have, for all practical purposes, lost decision making control. 

Tying up your capital for 10 years just to get the same rate of return that you could get in an index fund does not seem like a smart decision, given the increased risk of a project like this as a new investor. 

Hello Madison, Good luck with the decision!

Congratulations on the decision to get started in real estate.

I just want to run the numbers here before I make decisions. 

In order to make this decision, you must be able to analyze markets not properties), and learn to invest in the markets that will bring you solutions that match up with the financial goals (math again) you established in your REI plan.You will need to learn how to live on the "left side" of the equation instead of the right side. 

I am looking to become an agent, and I know there are a lot of factors that feed into this decision.

It is used mostly in the context of corporate investment decisions to determine whether or not a potential investment can provide a significant enough return to account for how much it costs to finance it.

This deal has had enough bad decisions for a lifetime, it’s time to make your best one and exit.

So, I paid him to teach me his land business and it was a great decision.