But, diversity in your portfolio is always a good idea. 

With proper screening and a diverse pool of applicants, you'll likely have the ability to pick the very best that won't tear up the property.

I've floated across careers/jobs in new home construction (worked in the structural warranty side), fitness, and travel - I've always loved to learn and grow myself, but I have not built much for "retirement" (though not sure I will ever retire, I love entrepreneurship), was recently divorced and I'm around 40 - so I have a road ahead and all...so definitely want to grow some decent rental income within 10-15 years, but I was considering fix and flip for not only diversity, but it sounds like fix and flip might be a great way to get some capital, which I don't really have at this point. 

Which is why its so important to have a diverse buyers list.

Just like your offer should be based on market price.Great topic and thanks for the diversion from all the other doom and gloom threads. 

For my particular situation, my tenant base happens to be rather diverse. 

It’s a diverse neighborhood.

So, decades of laissez faire ended abruptly when the legislators downstate started to paint a very diverse state with the same liberal brush. 

Do do not buy properties in rural cities, and only in growing cities with diverse industries supporting employment. 

If that's the case, you should have Indianapolis and Kansas City on the top of your short list, not just because of the strong cash flow they offer, but both markets have strong economic and demographic trends with modern, diverse economies.