In general you'll do well to look for good linear real estate markets (staying away from cyclical markets, which we hear so much about in terms of appreciation). 

I would opt for somethingHard to quantify in terms of pricePurely in the "gift zone"For example, if you give them a $50 gift card there is a very real human tendency to compare the dollar value to what you perceive the discomfort to have been worth, and most years, and ESPECIALLY this year, you don't want anyone's lizard brain doing that calculation.Something like a bottle of wine and a doggie-pampering gift basket accompanied by a note expressing something like "I am thankful for you and apologize for the inconvenience you experiences around this roofing fiasco. 

how much did it cost in total in terms  of dollars to become a appraiser trainee what is the learning curve like for studying and who or how did you fund the cost to become a appraiser trainee

Thanks for weighing in...I was thinking the same thing in terms of the land value.

I am actually in a very similar mastermind like the one you described and it has been very helpful in terms of helping me network with and learn more about real estate investing as an agent/licnesee. 

If you have garbage every week, recycling ever other week (or some combination) - what instructions do you give your guests in terms of taking the garbage to the street if it falls during their visit?

However, I'd have to pay selling costs, extra buying costs on the 5th house in terms of title fees, etc., and it would create a 1031 situation (I believe it would anyway and I could absolutely be wrong on this) where I'd be rushed into buying the extra properties.OrB - I could refinance to 80% LTV and use that money to buy 4 similar houses, keeping this current house as the "5th" and avoiding all of the negatives, such as the fees, from Scenario A.Jay, if you don't mind answering, what do you invest in? 

In terms of what offer you should put in you can use a combination of the cap rate for this property plus what recently sold properties in the area are going for.

I feel 9% CAP rate with a successful national brand deserves some risk taking in terms of timing.

I think my biggest hurdle will be money/financing so would really like to find some commercial lenders to discuss what is even possible in terms of my plan and what space is feasible within that.