But I attribute the fact that I don’t like being told what to do and questioning everything to finding the concept of financial freedom.

Investors forget that the 50% rule has absolutely no basis in reality, that the fixed expenses of property taxes and insurance have a huge impact on cash flow, particularly in markets with lower average priices and rents, and that vacancy rates can and do have a huge impact on long-term cash flow.With regards to CapEx and maintenance, it's hard to get any real guesses here, so fire away with reasons that it might not be fair to attribute the same allocation to both DC and Detroit.

Some people who don’t have hobbies don’t really “get” the whole car thing and that’s understandable but attributing some type of ulterior motive to my potential purchase is kind of strange.As far as my income goes, I realize it’s a bit lower than many of yours on here and as I mentioned I’m going to be moving into practice ownership within the next 24 months.

I could t remember and wasn’t able to attribute.

I attribute that to working and learning from Blair and Jeff and his team.

He still earned $2000 for posting an ad on Craigslist...And avoided a seize and desist order for brokering from the Dept of Real Estate (if he is not licensed)See http://www.dllr.state.md.us/license/mrec/mrecdodon...An unlicensed person MAY NOT:Prepare promotional materials or ads without the review and approval of licensee and supervising broker.Show property.Answer any questions on listings, title, financing, closing, etc.Discuss or explain a contract, listing, lease, agreement, or other real estate document with anyone outside the brokerage.Be paid on the basis of real estate activity, such as a percentage of commission, or any amount based on listings, sales, etc.Negotiate or agree to any commission, commission split, management fee, or referral fee on behalf of a licensee.Discuss the attributes or amenities of a property, under any circumstances, with a prospective purchaser or lessee.Discuss the terms and conditions of the real property offered for sale or lease with the owner of the property.Collect, receive, or hold deposit monies, rent, other monies, or anything else of value received from the owner or lessee of the real property or from a prospective purchaser or lessee.Provide owners of real property or prospective purchasers or lessees with any advice, recommendations, or suggestions as to the sale, purchase, exchange, or lease of real property to be listed or real property presently available for sale or for lease.Hold himself or herself out in any manner, orally or in writing, as being licensed or affiliated with a particular company or real estate broker as a licensee.Contact the public concerning the availability of real estate brokerage services unless an inquiry about a specific property is immediately referred to a licensee.Elizabeth H.

I attribute this to patience in the leasing process and care in screening tenants.

The falling population is likely attributable in part to bleak economic conditions.

Real Estate is more or less a commodity and the only way to really affect the price is with attributes... nice location, better upkeep, better everything.  

I would try this:1) list your goals2) create a strategy to achieve those goals3) create a list of attributes to look for in a city that would achieve that strategy4) find cities that have those attributes