My other interests include stock market investing, technology, and history.I hope to meet other like-minded investors, entrepreneurs and professionals on here!

That's a stock market day trader mentality.  

This simple chart shows the PE multiple difference/spread between SP500 and US Equity REITs, typically REITs more expensive than stocks but now at lowest level/price since GFC-2009, so from a relative value perspective of where to invest a dollar, this is a great time to invest in real estate, thinking long term.

A lot of the housing stock in that area is quite old, and you already reviewed the data about the sub-market's issues.

Financial Planners all seem to recommend having a balance stock portfolio, so why wouldn't investors similarly have a balance real estate portfolio and do some of each?

I've been putting money into stocks and index funds, and looking into other public markets, would consider real estate debt funds or syndications (would need to vet those first)  in the future. 

I’ve been investing in stocks for over 8 years with pretty good results and am finally exploring if real estate investing makes sense for me in 2024.

They would most likely use your liquid assets (cash, stocks, retirement account) to qualify to make sure you have enough for downpayment + closing costs.

While it’s possible engaging in one of these programs can shorten the time required to become a “power” agent considerably, it also may be a gigantic waste of money if marketing efforts are engaged without waiting for the all important test results.One popular career tract being offered in collegiate business programs across the world right now is marketing data analytics - analyzing the results of test marketing campaigns and applying/interpreting these results to form an effective and profitable marketing program.The other choice is to engage one of the many companies that will set up a generic real estate agency website for you, with the usual stock photos as well as MLS feed, create a blog and tie it to the new website, and start posting information and answering questions are various social media sites.After getting your feet wet, you can purchase services such as SEO, or a PPC campaign, on a a la charge basis, and track the results using one of many analytical programs available online.

Precast concrete is a low margin business overall but seeing as this is very special, it would be more that simple stock tanks and the like.I would go for in-ground all the way.