All that said however, I agree with the notion that for long term buy and hold investing, market cycles are less important.

Now, however, I am becoming more attracted to the notion of trying to flip properties in my early years as much as possible, so I can generate a good starting cash base and a cash-flush business, then once that is established build a portfolio of rental properties to generate long-term stable cash flow. 

The very notion of shouldn't the towns folk pay for that, it simply blows my mind how a person could argue such with a straight face, seriously, it's that level of bonkers to me. 

I agree with the notion that the crazy price explosions of +40% in cities like Austin have to end, because you hit income limitations.

Only in real estate is there a very bizarre notion to invest with no investment.

Maybe this will help put this incorrect notion to bed, @Brian Burkehttps://www.biggerpockets.com/... 

Account Closed At the end of the day, the notion of low and no money down deals are basically saying, in real estate funds are needed in general to acquire deals but don't necessarily have to be your own money.

And this brings the notion of in any "dip" that somehow ones wealth is, what was it you said, "vaporized".

I second the notion of trying to see what the rehab costs were by line item to see how much you saved overall by doing the contracting (or 70% of it) by yourself. 

And I see that notion, too.