What they can’t do is cut out a buyer’s agent by showing the property to their client behind their back—that’s a clear violation.If you're a buyer who wants to go unrepresented, and the listing agent refuses to show you the property unless you sign an agreement or bring your own agent, that’s not just shady—it could be seen as steering or restricting access, especially if it seems widespread or coordinated.To spark a class action lawsuit, you’d need:Multiple buyers who were similarly denied access or forced into representation against their will.A clear pattern or policy by brokerages or MLSs that limits buyer access based on representation status.Legal support—usually starts with a consumer rights attorney or antitrust lawyer who smells something actionable.Honestly, the whole thing feels like the old guard trying to protect commissions while pretending it's "about the buyers." 

Since most investors have less experience and just as importantly less Capital the cannot afford to make mistakes early on if they want to build a portfolio for the long haul.Strategy 1: Elbow GreaseDon't pretend you are a big dog investor and punch out of your weight class. 

You know I am a cynic like you Colin but I give Bill Faeth a lot of credit because he is the only influencer that has built the majority of his wealth from strs AFTER covid, and who continues to buy and heavily cash flow on properties today, with today's prices, today's rates, and today's saturation.Most of the STR influencers have a pretty simple formula for how they got rich.1) Buy STRs pre-covid when prices and rates were low2) Do a mediocre or even below average job managing them3) Profit because their debt service is so low.4) Pretend they're a genius and sell courses teaching people how to match their below average returns, which only work for them because their debt service is so low.Most of these folks have not bought any new properties since 2023, and if they have they are hemmorhaging money on them and proudly brag that they are still great tax write-offs (for all the money they're making coaching people how to be a bottom percentile host).Bill is the exception, he buys 2-3 properties a year, every year pretty much, and shares the financials.It was a great conference. 

I'm not a tax guy, so I won't pretend to be one now...That said, he's likely given you half the story or you misunderstood half...What he's referring to on the cash-out and you are looking for on the re-investment are the IRC "interest tracing rules"...I'll let a real tax guy handle the explanation, but a search for that term should get you where you need to go. 

Also bro, why would Zach even want to pretend that he isn't working with 3rd party companies?

But on the flipside, the wrong agent can pretend to know, or think that they know all that...

For partners or for “pretend land”  you have to pay fair market rent in to the property’s account.

Others mentioned some great stuff already, and I’d add this:Since this is your first deal, your goal isn’t to pretend you have experience—it’s to show a lender that you’re serious, prepared, and coachable.

But let’s not pretend that real estate can’t be a legitimate path to wealth when done right.

I know nothing about the CA market and won't pretend to.