For anyone who has not been benefiting from the stock market bull run and volatility, it is always going to be easy to say that stock market volatility is the reason to stay away from it and therefore real estate is a better investment 😏

My only hesitation in jumping in to find my second deal right now is the volatility in the job market.

Even if they are the same, you'll have a higher equity position which is very attractive IMO in such volatile times.

Second, your concern about interest rate volatility is exactly the same as the lenders'.You'll find banks that will have 5-10 year fixed rate term, and possibly even a 15-year fixed term, but longer than that is generally hard to find, and then add to that the mobile home contingency and I'm doubtful.So, I'd recommend checking with local banks and seeing if anyone offers a 15-year term on a 20-30 year amortization. 

Short term rentals are the most volatile asset class of the ones in this conversation, so I'm not sure those match a conservative profile.

Or do we see more interest in rentals as a less volatile investment?"

As I near retirement, though, I want to divest into another area to create an additional income stream not directly effected by market volatility.

Lower volatility and more predictable cash flow are some of the others. 

Theta and Volatility is my friend.   

The investor might focus too much on foreign markets with attractive 7-10% cap rate and completely overlook the volatility of the currency.