How do you prepare your investment for the next market crash?

[Chatree C.]

Hi everyone, newbie here. I'm planning to buy my first investment this year. I'm trying to do as much due diligence as possible to protect my investment and assets if the real estate market crashes in the future.

For buy and hold strategy, is it enough to make sure cash flow positive (actually not easy in my area) and account for enough unforeseen expenses? I wonder how you all prepare your investments for this.

It would be nice to hear from folks who had been through the previous market crashes as well. What you learned and what you wish you had done differently.