However, the language in the Baltimore City Zoning Code says the following:In order to grant a variance, the case must be made that "because of particular physical surroundings, shape, or topographical conditions [...] an unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty, as opposed to a mere inconvenience, would result".It goes on to say that the purpose of the variance is not based exclusively on a desire to increase the value or income potential of the property.The basement unit I have designed is very important to the financial success of the project but I'm having trouble explaining why it will also result in an unnecessary hardship or practical difficulty other than economic reasons.Any suggestions?

Hi Michael,The way to decide where to invest is to look at the economic fundamentals, which means, where is GDP increasing, where are jobs being created, where are people moving to.

They get a deal and then decided if they can make a largest enough profit. 

Dallas and Houston moved down.The goal is to help real estate investors, policymakers and local governments understand which geographic areas and job categories will play the largest role in economic growth in the coming decades."

Another way of looking at it is investors are willing to pay 20x NOI in that market, this maybe because the local economic prospects are good and better demographics of people are moving in.

Just to play the devil's advocate...I get what you're trying to do, but a 100% allocation to (presumably US) real estate isn't very diversified at all on a holistic level.I'm a big proponent of a strategic mix of real estate, equities, bonds, precious metals, and/or cash depending on where we are in the economic cycle and what the intermediate term outlook is. 

Works wonderful and economical.

I'm also looking at the overall economic outlook of that city (type of economy?

Advising a client take an economic loss on an investment to save on taxes amounts to malpractice IMHO. 

I’m being offered my senior year to take a Career Pathways in depth business class at a college and I thought I should take advantage either way but since my main focus is Real Estate, I would like to choose a class tailored to that.My options are: Principles of Marketing Business Economics Principles of BusinessPrinciples of FinanceLeadershipWealth management Business strategies I’ve read the descriptions of each one but thought I should get advice from you all which class would be most beneficial for Real Estate specifically.