I know certain marketplaces require milestones to be met during the multiple draws of capital, which prevents a big surprise at the end from happening.

I was also very surprised that the breaker didn't trip!

wow I'm surprised people on here are being so catty, as I stated in the post it was out of curiousity.

I don't think anyone forced you to buy the tickets and get on the plane and I would be surprised to learn that a judge thought you were owed any money for your home inspection either. 

I'm surprised that there are still people out there that won't give references.

Wow, that is a costly mistake and from someone with experience, surprising to say the least.

I'm surprised a bank that is already being shorted on what they are owed by the seller would approve you assigning the contract and presumably making a profit (in the form of an assignment fee). 

I am doing surprisingly well with Driving for Dollars and door hangers. 

Yes there are surprises in real estate, but it is for the most part predictable and repeatable.

Perhaps surprisingly, my subjective impressions have matched up neatly with my objective analysis.