All her properties were bought and paid for by her and her boyfriend; no wealthy family members or lotteries.I've learned quite a bit reading her blog posts.

I know the submarket east of downtown pretty well.I also think Austin is going to boom over the next 2 decades and the growth will make a lot of investors here very, very wealthy.

A strong childhood work ethic is the most common trait among wealthy adults.

I don't care if could become wealthy doing so, I just can't justify it.

They knew they'd have less monthly cash flow after a refi but now that money was invested into another performing asset and when invested correctly the % on that money would now be Healthy or if a higher % Wealthy money.

It's mostly a cultural thing that plays a big part of it.  

Our culture is that real estate does NOT need to be sold.  

Following on other replies about the presence of university and hospitals in Champaign/Urbana, I would add that there's a specific cultural dimension at play that contributes to the difference in price between parts of these cities and other areas of Central Illinois.

In fact, successful businesses use positive company culture and values to attract employees and customers.

And the culture I grew up to being raised in the Bronx, NY has made me strong but lost as to who it is that I am as a person.