In a lot of areas new development will be more expensive than existing home stock, which will probably help the home prices of the existing houses - especially if it is McMansions that are built.

I'm primarily interested in purchases as investments, maximizing ROI, and looking to take a more active role (compared to buy and holding stocks/funds) in attaining FI.I think the regional pitfalls/gotchas, and unseen costs are the biggest deterrents for newbies and over-thinkers like myself.  

I've been looking at non-stock corporation, but I saw a lot of LLCs on BP so I wanted to gather opinions.

I have been quite uncomfortable with the volatility of the stock market and really will be happy with even a small return.

I have a deep background and knowledge of trading stocks and FX (currencies) for about 4 years with personal accounts but now want to learn about REI.

I am predicting another meet will not take place - for various important reasons.They *are* trying to get back on their feet, and they are using your good graces to do so. 

Right now I invest in ETFs, but I'm not too keen on the emotional volatility of the stock market for investment purposes.  

Your fatalistic attitude is predictable because by saying that nothing will change if investors step up to the plate, you then attempt to relieve those investors, and possibly yourself, of the moral charge of stepping up to the plate.  

There are a whole lot of factors such as age, tax bracket now and in retirement, account value, investment goals, expected return....A point I frequently make to help folks clarify their understanding is that investing in real estate with qualified funds such as an IRA or 401k is entirely different from investing in real estate with after tax funds, and comparing the two is comparing apples and oranges as a result.The better comparison is how an IRA invested in real estate compares to an IRA invested in traditional assets such as stocks.  

The S corp allows for up to 200 separate individual investors, and allows you to issue Class A stock, which will allow you to both increase the value of your stock as you acquire property, portfolios, and/or notes, and also allow you to add partners easily by issuing stock based on their cash value add, while still having the option to opt out to C corp once you get big enough, but it also keeps you built to be a great acquisition target.