Just like in any industry, there are good and bad.  

I think one thing that causes so many people to get their license...then ultimately leave the industry quickly is a complete misunderstanding of what being a real estate agent means.

The host Joe Boston is an industry veteran and all aground great guy.

@Matt Powell  this model is VERY old news  its how the turn key industry worked prior to the GFC in 07 and 08 when lenders STOPPED doing investor refis for all but the VERY RICH.now as money is rolling again they are just bringing back basically the same products that existed prior to 08 nothing new mysterious or earth shattering here. the trick though is getting more than 4 refis and you can get up to 10 if your VERY well off and qualified or you go portfolio which new players are entering the space  B2R Colony etc.

I'm a chemical engineer and program director who left the defense industry in 2015 to work in the real estate market full time as an agent and investor.As an agent, I want to help people optimize what will be, for many clients, the biggest financial decision of their lives.I also plan to work for myself as an investor.  

It doesn't look too bad, but one problem is the roof : layers of asphalt shingles over old wooden shake shingles.  

They're ranked the number one training organization in the industry for a reason!  

For platted lots (already in a subdivision) that have utilities present, there's not much due diligence necessary, other than maybe making sure you are not overpaying too much;) For industrial property that you want to re-develop, that's a different story.

I know the insurance industry stopped the sink hole claims around 2011 (at least in Florida) due to an abuse of the repair privilege.

Many folks believe that because Chicago is much more diverse in its industries, economy and has better job creation strengths, that Chicago will be immune from Detroit's death spiral of (a) borrowing and pension debt, (b) failure to control the costs of government, (c) loss of state revenues, (d) bad public schools and (e) ever increasing tax burden for working, middle class families.My interest in this question stems primarily from the dramatic price declines in Detroit real estate prices before its municipal bankruptcy.