The Economist has written on this syndrome; "This time it is different" Eight centuries of financial folly.

This included stating house purchases were primary residences, when they were not; lying about sources of down payments; falsely showing higher sale prices on purchase contracts and having the seller “refund” the difference outside of closing; having “straw buyer” utilize VA or FHA eligibility and then filing a warranty deed change; “trading” near worthless recreational land at ridiculously high valuations; “silent” seller carryback seconds; and slipping in subordination and substitution of collateral clauses into trust deed documents (when seller financing) without those being part of the purchase contract.Most of this ended when the Federal Gov started indicting people for mortgage fraud.More restrictive financing terms, consumer protection laws, due on sale mortgage clauses, proof of funds and mortgage pre approvals have made a true ”no cash” purchase much more difficult to achieve and much more uncommon today, nearly half a century later.Yet, it’s still possible.  

I'm a real estate agent for Century 21.

Do I have to work for a corporation like 21st Century, etc. or can I find an independent broker?

I am a new investor although my family has owned real estate in Baltimore for over a century.

Absolutely this is a trend and will continue to do so, lack of housing affordability + Remote work, in fact it’s something I call, the housing 1st economy, in that people move to affordable places and the economy grows around them as opposed to the economy pushing a housing boom as has been the case since at least the 20th century.

I have a few single fam homes paid for, I just bought a 28 unit retirement complex and am now under contract on a 246 unit self storage facility that is the deal of the century. 

Address:Century Plaza Towers, Suite 1400 - 14th floor2029 Century Park East, Los Angeles, CA. 90067 I'm talking to them right now about a potential loan for a mobile home park, would like some feedback from anyone who has borrowed from them. 

I was thinking about Century 21 as that was the brokerage I signed up with but never actually started.. just not sure if they are investor friendly

Do you know which 3 cities according to Case Shiller had highest total return for this century in the US?