Unless the work you do is highly skilled and in high demand, a layoff could ruin any worker and his/her family. 

Obviously low cap rates are the result of HIGH demand.  A

Investors in listed REITs buy and sell securities on a public exchange, the price of which is often influenced by supply and demand as well as other non-real estate market forces.

If you are looking at SFR then rates will not have a huge impact as their sales prices are not based upon a cap rate but are based upon supply and demand, as the economy improves, rates will increase, home purchases for sfr still typically increases when rates are rising because of all the reason rates are rising.

A great deal for an investor is a property which will cash flow with a cap rate of 10%, is in high demand as a rental, has appreciation potential, and which is either priced at 20% below market value for cash or which the seller will carry back 90% of the purchase price as a first lien or 25% of the price as a silent second lien if priced slightly below market valueA great deal to a flipper is a property priced at no greater than 60% of market value needing repairs valued at no more than 15% of market value.If you can find these you will have no shortage of offers.  

You will come across that person who will demand a specific amt. they have in mind and that's okay if you have the money (after your 1st or 2nd deal you will).

I'd think if you were burning that kind of volume you could demand a better discount from the bid room and pay with an Amex for the rewards points...

Now the younger kids demand a wide o_p_e_n floor concept & that requires some interesting engineering.

As I am new to the area, I would like to get some good macro data on Cleveland (i.e. vacancy, employment, MF supply/demand) as well as more neighborhood specific data to determine where best to start hunting for properties.

If they don't give you the report, demand a refund for the fee.