What you really want to do is find out why they are selling, what is going on with them....are they moving, divorce, was it a rental before and they are retiring, etc.  

My partner and I are newly retired executives starting a niche property management company.

This question is aimed particularly at seasoned investors near or at retirement age or investors who also are certified financial planners:Once you reach retirement age, what percentage of your portfolio reasonably should be in real estate vs. a traditional IRAs or other financial instruments? 

I’m looking for real estate investors and/or 1031 exchange investors looking for their next project, and I come across new projects everyday.Current examples… 17 lot subdivision (ocean views) with final map, a retirement community (raw land) 40 units potential, off-market apartment buildings, developable raw land, 3 high-end estate lots, and a potential high-density assemblage for 50+ units.

I prefer to hold notes in my retirement account and property in my personal name for the tax benefits.

But knowledge without action will not a retirement make. 

If I was to hire a financial planner, I'd expect him/her to be fee only, w/ no products to sell, only services.I'd expect competent advice in the following areas:- investment diversification targets based on my age and investment objectives- tax avoidance strategies- asset protection via proper legal entities- never to hear the words "mutual fund"- how to optimize retirement plans to balance liquidity requirements vs. tax savingsd

Personally, I believe HML is for retired people, perhaps former RE investors that still want cashflow but don't want the RE management that comes with it.

Additionally, there are many different companies to choose from when deciding which IRA provider will help you invest your retirement funds into real estate.

My goal is to leverage my money, I have saved in my ROTH IRA ($70,000), to purchase a multi unit building or multiple properties to generate income for retirement.