Thank god for the naysayers, if they were all fully on board with real estate returns would be much less.That said, the negative forces are real and best avoided in my opinion.

If you don't mind spending some $$$, then Canton, Fed Hill, or Fells Point are good neighborhoods for young professionals.I'm looking to househack myself, but because I have kids we're looking for areas with decent schools and some trees (ie in the county).

I'm not sure what your tax bills look like, but ours have something like (I kid you not) 30 lines of charges.

But I do sometimes wonder if we are going to end up with some board, appointed unilaterally by the president, who sit for 10 year terms, and answer to no one but themselves, and are the "tsars of housing" in America.

I'm very nervous and afraid of the unknown, and very much trying to stay focused and spend time learning every time my kids are with their dad.

Your own work ethic will determine how long you can feasibly keep your head on straight at your current job.I can offer you small advice for when you do plan to exit (I am currently in this same situation)Make sure your wife is on board! 

I likely won't be able to provide anything to my kids and/or grand kids when I die, besides maybe a house or two. 

If that doesn't works, I post on specific Facebook boards that are tailored to the same types of people who I rent to now (mostly Disney employees)

Secondly if the OP was illegally brokering (stealing my business as you say) then decided to get his license and continue brokering above board he'd still be taking business away from me, wouldn't he?

HOA boards can be a fickle bunch, and unless you're running the show, you have no control over the fees they levy.On the other hand, your capex budget is already 18%, so maybe you're good there.