Many calculations surrounding returns are based on fancy financial mathematics and university style formulas, but those of us who are in the trenches know that it is critical to separate two entirely different realities.First there is deployed v. not deployed capital.

Someone else might just refinish the cabinets, get fixtures in working order, only replace the roof if critical, carpet and paint.

Management is a critical factor and that will not be accurately assessed without experience and historical data, these aspects aren't available to private parties.

FFC's ( fixed food contracts) are critical to cap rising costs of foods in the marketplace.

Do you ever just feel like things are coming to a point of critical mass and you're getting a big shove from Above?

This question is critical.

And it works.It seems to me that there can be some pretty good ROI's with cheap, but convenient, farmland, with a farm-to-table direct-retail component (ideally, an on-farm stand, which is why location is so critical), and hard working sharecroppers who just need a chance to build up their nest egg.

Local knowledge is critical.

Learning as much as you can about the area you are planning to invest in is critical, paying special attention to industry that draws and keeps people in that area.

I am most of the way through a project that was built on a 40' wide lot, part in flood plain, with a tree that required critical root zone protection in the middle part of the lot.