Can I predict it? 

If he wants predictable costs and to paint "his" house purple, he should be a buyer, not a tenant.

The challenge with any legal matter that requires a judge to rule is that neither  the outcome nor the timeline can be accurately predicted. 

I know we are not fortune tellers and cannot predict the future, but the definition of "long term" or "buy and hold" is important. 

In that case you are putting money into a long term savings account.Unless you are really sure that spending money in a very expensive market is the best thing you can do (some are very worried about investing away from home), I would focus some energy into learning about ways to partner and find someone doing deals that do make money (predictably) or if you get confident on your own do those remote deals yourself.

Do you think that 2020 is a good year to invest in real estate?

A" apartments in "A" locations are bought for a premium because they are newer (20 years old or less), have lower (and more predictable) repairs & maintenance (with little to no capex for the next 1-5 years) and therefore gives a more predictable yield on investor capital.

I don't know if they can give you appraisals that they have done...but that would give you a great insite into the area when predicting ARV's.

I'd reconsider that for heat because it is a fairly predictable number, but electricity and water are absolute no-go.As for the tenants complaining to you about it, I might suggest in very diplomatic terms that they grow up and handle their problems like big boys and girls.

.- He does predict a slowdown or "bump in the road" as he called it around late 2018 or early 2019.- We all know interest rates will have to rise at some point soon.