Are you involved i.e. what is your sphere of influence?

I would also say that your investment strategy will be influenced by the market in which you invest.

Would you choose to live in the top or bottom and what factors would influence your decision?

@Grant Rothenburger, I don't think it's necessarily a lack of deals, but that everyone mailing to the same Absentee Owners.Investors in overcrowded markets need to look at alternatives like Seniors who have owned their home for 20+ years or Homeowners with low Financial Stability Scores (FSS).There's even a new list where you can mail to the children of the elderly homeowner - since they are the influencers.

Or figure out how to boost sales in your business such that your income is high enough even with all those optional deductions.What you may not do is opt not to declare expenses that are usual and ordinary in the course of your business and which you actually incurred and paid, such as advertising, supplies, labor, rent, etc. 

Assuming you have a LLC and this will boost your business credit.You have perfect timing with this trade war brewing...Cash might be the best place for a few yearsif real estate values are on the way down???

You haven't revealed anything that would alarm a seller at this point.Get a redacted set of financials to share with qualified individuals.Have an NDA ready to go.No showings or deep due diligence without an LOI and earnest.Locate COIs (centers of influence) rather than marketing to the masses. 

If you know someone that someone could be you to who is ready to make a career change or just boost your credit.

If you'd like a credit score boost before a particular purchase, I can recommend several companies whose specialty it is to help with that.

Leverage boosts ROI to a point so those will up your blended return.