how is rental market in that area these days? 

While rates may not decrease, the significant double-digit increases should level off.

This setup ensures every project stays on schedule and within budget, which is huge in a market where timing is everything.3.

Any recommendations for free tools to do market research?

Quote from @Lorraine Hadden: As we close out 2024 and look forward to 2025, NAR released its 2025 list of top performers in 10 metro markets.

When tenants stay for ten years, it's usually because their rent is well below market rates.

Investing in the market that you have knowledge of and the economic factors that support it is necessary. 

Still lots of work to do on the house and the “book” I still have to figure out what to do for it (paper/digital/both), and a few more things I probably am not yet aware of … reading on this forum and asking questions sure has helped out a lot.

As we wrap up the year and look ahead to 2025, the real estate market continues to present unique challenges and opportunities for investors, brokers, and lenders alike.