As in all things in life (like choosing a spouse)for instance, it's incumbent upon us to examine our individual personalities regarding whether a proposed partnership would be a good fit or a disaster in waiting.In 2007, when I lost more than $130,000 in the stock market,I learnt a permanent lesson that stuck with me till today.I discovered that I was a control freak.I needed to always know how my actions directly related to my results, and most often like to retain the ability to change my mind even if others would find such reversal a stupid idea.Seeing how much control I didn't have on how my stocks performed in 2008 despite all the information I had consumed for several months regarding value investing and how to analyze a company's fundamentals scarred me for life.It made a real estate investor out of me.The safety and assurance that I was taking sole responsibility for the calls i made and the risks I decided to take was a calming refuge.Having been a Pro-member on BiggerPockets for as long as I've been has its perks.It gives one a front row seat to see in slow motion the interesting evolution of the component parts that make up this mammoth industry.I watched in amusement as one member arrived as a total newbie in 2018 with a welcome post, voraciously consuming unsolicited counsel on the member forums for a few months and then posted a "success story" of his deals after 6 months.Within a year, he had his own podcast and is now buying large apartments as a syndicator pooling investors' money.To be clear, this is not a hate post.I certainly do not begrudge people "crushing it" in record time.Nonetheless, as a 'senior' member of this community who has seen this movie before,I do feel a lonely cautionary voice in the wilderness is needed at this point.We are in an environment of unprecedented cap rate compression and record low interest rates which is only headed in one direction after this is all over.Yes, make no mistake, the music will soon stop.That has very little to do with an upcoming election and is regardless of who wins the White House or who controls congress after November.If you've listened to Kevin Bupp and Rod Khleif, you know what happened to their portfolios in 2008.These were no amateurs, as a matter of fact, they had many years of investment experience when the music stopped.They both weathered the storm and came back stronger and that is why I remain a shameless fan of both men till today.Several others were not that lucky, and you will never hear their names.In this space today, there are investors and there are educators.The educators have taken over the habitat.That is why there are now more podcasts on real estate than I can get through in a working week.Real Estate education is so very lucrative now that it is possible to make way more money from podcasts and books than in actual real estate investment for some gifted marketers with smooth tongues and gifted content creators.We are in the information age after all, and youtube millionaires are now perhaps outpacing patient real estate buy and hold landlords in the passive income/ cash flow game.Belonging to a $25,000/year mastermind and attending a syndication bootcamp does not insulate anyone from catastrophe.

The danger for beginners isn’t lack of strategy variety — it’s paralysis from trying to master everything simultaneously.Appreciate the dialogue — iron sharpens iron.By the way Ken, the Titanic is my favorite movie of all time!  

Sharing your favorites would be super helpful for others

.💻 Office Supplies & Software – Including bookkeeping tools, printers, and even part of your home office.Creative Ways to Give Back — and Still SaveGiving back can also be tax-deductible when done thoughtfully:🎁 Tenant Appreciation Gifts: Small gifts such as gift cards, snacks, or holiday baskets (under $25 per tenant per IRS rules) can be deductible as a business expense.🏘️ Community Donations: Contributing to local charities, shelters, or community events near your property may be tax-deductible if donated to a registered nonprofit (501(c)(3)).🧤 Property Improvement Drives: Donating old appliances, furniture, or materials from renovations to nonprofit organizations like Habitat for Humanity can qualify as a charitable deduction.Pro Tip:Before December 31st, review your receipts, invoices, and bank statements.

Quote from @Seth McGathey: What are your favorite go to seller fianancing terms?

Out of all the wholesalers who publicly share their strategies and calls, he's my personal favorite.

We just wrapped up one of our favorite projects to date—a full BRRRR execution on a three-property lakefront rental package in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

When you get your money, buy me an island in the Caribbean for a Christmas gift.  

Hey but maybe thats just the newbie in me.So help me out who was your favorite GC to work with, and if you have one, who was your worst?

That time frame also prepares buyer in case they need to have a certain reserve requirement or gift funds.There are also some tricks and loopholes that can make or break the transition and the timeline.