There are a lot of smart, successful folks on this board. I know we get into all sorts of animated discussions on various topics, and most times I think it boils down to we each have different levels of what we feel comfy with.

A few example: I don't call folks stupid for using debt to invest. Likewise, I'm pretty sure most of you don't call me stupid for my view on debt (even though you may think I am).

Another example: I am comfy with lock box showings. Others are not.

It's all good....gotta do what works for you and helps you sleep at night.

I forget where I heard it, but I just used a phrase on melinda(MD)'s post "scam-definition" to describe what I think is a good analogy regarding the art of business and finding a happy medium that balances the wants and desires of buyers and sellers: or in our cases renters and land lords: "It's like dating...you have to give a little to get a little, but know when to say 'Nope'."

Agreed!

And they All lived Happily Ever After.

Yes, Sid, I think you are making a good point. We aren't necessarily stupid or wrong, (OK, sometimes I critique myself - "that was stupid!") just because we do things differently. We each know our own properties, market, personal preferences personalities, financial means and goals. Learn, move on & do better. None of us should act like we have full understanding of someone else's back story, history, experience, motivation.

We each stand -or fall - on our own decisions. It is wonderful to come here and see so many different experiences & opinions expressed by landlords of all types. It helps me to make more informed decisions, but it is still my decision. Some of the information just really doesn't apply to me and my properties, and I know that. Sometimes, though, I get ideas for something that had never even crossed my mind but is potentially pertinent. I always benefit from learning different perspectives on any subject.

We certainly do need to remember to be respectful while offering our opinions. We also need to remember to not be too sensitive when our opinions differ.

S i d, Thank you for the post, and I recall that sometime late last year, you brought up a similar topic. I posted something to the effect that due to your thoughtful nature, you yourself would figure out how far you can go with an investment opportunity or opportunities in which you were interested at that time. Indeed, "to thine own self be true."

In general, this forum is wonderfully brilliant as it culls opinions of many types of landlords with different and creative ideas, levels of risk-taking, standards, expertise, experience, backgrounds, etc. Perhaps not many will like this, but this forum also seems to have a social bent and a sense of community in which participants can easily share failures, ideas, problems, encouragement, and successes.

I agree with what you're saying Sid. We're all different and different things may work for each of us. We have landlording and investing in real estate as common starting points. I enjoy the fact that reading Q & A has made me think and sometimes changed the way I thought of a thing.

This evening some good people came to my kitchen to eat a snack. I had two frying pans going and crepes were flying!

I was pulling dishes out of the dishwasher. Since I was the host to this idea, everyone got to eat while I served the plates. I even had an order of General Tso's Chicken which was was divided up as well. Me, I'm not eating meat, bread, Cheese, Sweets, and anything fried. So I didn't eat.

I noticed a spoon didn't look right? Earlier today I had soaked dishes, washed them off...what you do when you have a stubborn meal and the plates need extra care. Then I loaded the dishwasher.

Well that was stupid.

Yep....

Am I stupid? No, Absolutely not. Doing something stupid doesn't make you stupid. Is a tree stupid if it falls in the woods?

I kept my yap shut, In fact, I was kinda smart.

Loose lips sink ships.

Confessing my sins would of been dumb.(really stupid)

Momma didn't raise no fool.

Whereas, Confessing my sins here; Taking people without screening, not filing out all the state required forms, painting interior paint outside (porch ceiling), painting concrete with regular paint, not adding enough collar ties. Such confessions add to the wealth of knowledge found in these pages.

To all you rich landlords, I promise to raise the El Stupido flag and continue to be the standard bearer, I will report my next really bright idea, and the genius moves that will surely follow it. Not once, but as long as there is sound logic I will make it my life's work to go around it so that others may benefit.

Know what you don't know is equally important.