That, or I'm wrong and people and businesses will leave these cities, and they will decay relative to inflation.On the opposite perspective from a personal standpoint, many of my well-educated peers with high paying jobs and excellent career prospects are moving into town earning incomes in the $60-$100K range.

Owner's can't battle or defeat these actions, so seek shelter anywhere else.Yes Equal Housing is the law, but R.C. only creates more slums so get out while there's someone who will still buy you out.You're absolutely correct about the slum part:  https://fee.org/articles/the-case-against-rent-con...As far as moving out of the areas I wouldn't jump to such a hasty conclusion.Real estate fundamentally is about LOCATIONAlso fair market- supply and demand.These areas where the socialist groups are targeting rent control tend to be near the ocean, dense cities where there are lots of jobs and decent economy.There just has to be counter action against Entitlement like this:https://www.socialistalternative.org/tag/rent-cont...

you are right options you need to be train, but you can positioned yourself to eliminate speculation. and use theta to take advantage of time decay on options.

In one of the houses I bought, I had to have a decaying rat that got caught in the duct work removed.

Even still, I would encourage you to stay away from pockets where there are numerous (a little bit of this can be OK) boarded up or vacant houses in decay.

Unfortunately, the live trap caught a raccoon (I assume) and it has decayed to the point that it was a gooey skeleton glued to the inside of the trap.

Generally, the rate might be higher on DSCR Multifamily but counteracted with a superior 30-year fixed rate (fully amortizing or even IO for 10 years) which can actually have a bigger effect on monthly payment and takes away any balloon or floating rate risk.https://www.biggerpockets.com/blog/multifamily-dscr-loans

I was in negotiations to buy a 8 unit (in an opportunity zone - thats code for "crappier neighborhood, a.k.a "war zone") that would have cost me a fortune in city inspections.... all to have the privilege of partnering with the housing assistance office (more inspections and red tape) to house folks that have zero interest in actually taking any responsibility for MY investment - their home.NO THANKS... there really are better areas for me to place my bets.Im not down on the Lehigh Valley as a whole... but inside the 3 cities that have these repressive policies.... keep you decay and polocies.

. - repair handrail#7 [Throughout] 302.4 Overgrown weeds or grass - All premises and exterior shall be maintain free from weeds or grass in excess of 10 inches - Cut overgrowth#8 [Throughout] 307.1 Accumulation of rubbish or garbage - Property must be clean of all rubbish or garbage - Remove all rubbish and garbage-#9 [Throughout] 305.3 Interior surfaces - Cracked or loose plaster:: decayed wood and other defective surface conditions shall be corrected. - Repair walls

They are doing their best to counteract this reputation but the kids who came down here in the 80's have grown up and are bringing their children here now.