If you plan to use your real estate licence primarily (or solely) for your own investing, finding such a brokerage at which to hang your licence would be beneficial.

I think this could be very beneficial to people who are starting out, but also to people who have been doing this for a while.

As I learn more about rental properties, flipping houses, property developers etc, I feel over whelmed with the knowledge and the choice of roles played by REI broker, licensed agent, developer etcThe ultimate goal is to develop properties (commercial and corporate).

Is it possible and beneficial to the owner at all for me to present taking over their existing loan?

Andy, Solo 401k plan is not for everyone (you must be self-employed or own a small business without full-time employees other than the business owner(s) and spouse), however if you qualify for it - in most cases it would be a much better choice for most people (you don't need a custodian with it, you don't need an LLC to gain the checkbook control, you can borrow from your plan up to $50K before retire, just to name a few advantages).

I'd have a considerable amount of equity to leverage for another property.However, if I understand correctly, you're saying that it would be more beneficial to just run a positive operating leverage while making minimum payments, and then after a year or two, use the accrued equity to leverage into another deal?

Hi Kimberly,I am a CPA and realtor myself, having a real estate license is beneficial because having access to MLS will provide you with solid understanding of current market values in your area so long as you diligently track it and will make it easy to see available properties if you purchase through the MLS. 

Success is a process, failure is a choice

Yes, I do have to agree with you that owning a property in the bayarea for primary residence is not wise from an investment standpoint, it is simply a personal choice.

I think what @Charlie Fitzgerald was saying is that they had taken the unwise choice to not purchase insurance, maybe because they owned it free and clear.So if this is true, it's an example to you of the stark reality of not having insurance (again, in our case as investors, it's crucial)Regarding the previous contact with the owners, things change, minds change with time.