If you want appreciation, identify markets with expanding industries, positive growth trends, and bright economic forecasts.Read this article on the "core 4".

It looks like we are trending towards a more equal seller/buyer market place.

Good MorningYou used these sort of links to research trends?

I'm based in cape coral and have majority of my portfolio here... you are right on cashflow and I will add appreciation and population trend is planned to be increased due to this city is one of the cities used as an outlet of miami, Orlando and Tampa since they are too expensive... happy to chat whenever you want.

Here are some tips and insights to consider as you begin building your real estate portfolio:Options:Refinancing: If you have equity in your condo, consider refinancing to access funds for future investments.Investment Loans: Explore options like conventional loans for financing future rental properties.HELOC: Depending on your equity and financial situation, a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) could provide flexible financing for down payments or renovations on new properties.Build a Financial Strategy:Budgeting: Create a detailed budget that includes mortgage payments, property taxes, insurance, and maintenance costs for your rental property.Cash Flow Analysis: Calculate expected rental income versus expenses to ensure positive cash flow.Emergency Fund: Set aside funds for unexpected repairs or vacancies.Research the Rental Market:Location: Choose rental properties in areas with strong rental demand and potential for appreciation.Tenant Profile: Understand the demographics and preferences of renters in your target market.Market Trends: Stay updated on rental market trends and local regulations affecting landlords.Property Management:Self-Management vs.

I like to use data, coming from an engineering background, and I see the data and trends over history, this can be used as a guide only to help with investment decisions (it’s not a guarantee but another tool to use). 

have you gotten any quotes for metal/steel ? 

The article has some great graphs that are informative as they illustrate the housing price trends of 7 major metropolitan areas in the US, including the San Francisco Bay Area over a 20+ year period.

I am not sure if it's just a general trend of people going offline en masse, or a sign of waning interest in wholesale discussion since a lot of bad rep is associated with it.

I recommend to "navigate the turbulence" in your market do a deep dive on rent trends over the last 15 years.