It does beat the expected inflation rate of 2% set by the Fed.Rents will remain about the sameWhat’s interesting is they also expect:A 11.7% increase in existing home inventory followed by Single-family new home starts growing at an impressive 13.8%. 

Park Hill has always been sought after, but this will only increase it’s desirability…..

Courtesy of Dodd Frank, its doubtful the self employed will ever be viewed by lenders as favorable as a w2 employee.

Whichever direction you go, be sure to work with folks who understand this and gives you the confidence to take reasonable action - I'd personally take an okay investment and weather the storm for a few years that will eventually perform well, and do that each year - rather than take 3 years to wait for the best deal possible.

Quote from @Jonathan Blanco: Is it worth seeking lenders with $0 lender fees (such as origination, processing and underwriting fees) or do they just get that money by increasing rates and charging higher points?

A self-directed IRA or 401k can be a great vehicle for loaning money to others without getting hit with taxes on the interest income.

This is where you can significantly increase the value of the property by making improvements that attract quality tenants and justify a higher rental price.

HELOC Basics:A revolving credit line secured by your home’s equityLow interest rates, but often variableDraw period (5-10 years) → Repayment period (10-20 years)✅ Pros: Lower interest than other loans, flexible access to funds, potential tax benefits⚠ Cons: Home is collateral, payments may increase, short repayment termWhen It Makes Sense:The rental property cash flows enough to cover HELOC paymentsYou borrow conservatively (avoid over-leveraging)You have a backup plan in case of market shiftsSafer Alternatives:Save a larger down paymentConsider seller financingPartner with another investorFinal ThoughtsWith your timeline set for November 2025, take time to research markets, build connections, and plan financing wisely.📌 Key Takeaways:Out-of-state investing can work but requires a solid local team.Use online tools like BiggerPockets, Rentometer, and Roofstock for analysis.A HELOC can help, but be mindful of risks and repayment terms.

But if you can finance a home in an appreciating area make it breakeven and at some point (as always) either rents/nightly rates will increase, interest rates will go down, or both. 

I have one rental property that I have been self managing for about 10 years but I'm looking to exploring and potentially doing my first Flip this year.