When money is not invested it loses it spending power due to inflation.

If a California investor can pay our property taxes and their income taxes and still make money overpaying for the house, more power to them.  

I truly believe in the power of real estate for F.I but stocks have also played a big role.

Is there something in the contract of the CFD that gives me some power over the borrower, in case he creates a cause for such a lien? 

I recommend @Casey Powers

There's no substitute for the power of time when it comes to compounding. 

There is power of attorney involved.

I’ve also heard of people studying tax records to see what properties in certain areas sold for what prices over a certain length of time, as well as following the news to see what’s happening in the economy and how it may affect the real estate market as a whole.I’d love to get a discussion going on what everyone has done or currently does to further educate themselves in their market, because knowledge is power and the more we know the more we grow!

The only way I can produce buying power is use a heloc.

Married to HML 200k should allow you between 500 and 700 k in borrowing power although when starting out keep in mind your rates are going to be much higher than say someone like me that gets the absolute best rates.. it makes profits a little smaller when U start..but your looking at value add flipping ..