Especially in a crazy market like we're experiencing now.So, I've broken down, at a high level, the 12 steps to follow if you really want to get straight to your first/next deal.WARNING: This list is for action takers only!

We just wall off the stairs connecting the two levels.

You need access to 9 and 10 level deals to have enough spread to generate a layer for preferred equity and still take home some dough on your own.  

Not sure what else could be argued here.Doesn't running The Apprentice and such, require a certain level of presentation?

Part of real estate investing is getting comfortable with some level of unknown. 

Aerators and showerheads will need cleaned regularly if the water is hard and the toilets will have rings at the water level.

I used to target mid level executives and would actually let them pick out their house. 

You don't need an agent to buy or sell land (I almost never use them), but depending on your level of comfort with the process, it might not hurt if you can find one who specializes in land transactions (hint: most agents deal with homes and dwellings, and these are not necessarily the most qualified people to advise you on vacant land transactions - as land deals have their own unique set of issues).2.

Depending on your skill level, your plan can achieve significant return, but be prepared that it will require more effort than other options.Good luck and I wish you the best at saving for your children's education.

And their voters who are renters are always going to be louder and much more numerous than we are.The other sad irony is, just like @Adam Martin mentioned, in the long run, they are just setting renters up for escalating prices when they make owning rentals riskier and more onerous with laws that are much too heavily one-sided.As an example, my New Orleans market has been at a crisis level for years with uninhabitable properties.