I am sure after Katrina the rates spiked

Are there still demand for Miami condo these days for the $500K range even with these major headwinds, not to mention the spike in mortgage rates?

You put your house up when rates dip - you win, you put it up when they spike - it cuts into your bottom line.

Always get money up front-cashier's check or cash, have a well heeled guarantor-always family-and make sure everyone understands their role and potential exposure.

One additional reason I say that is be sure nurses aren't 100% of your MTR strategy - people got way too comfortable with the insane spike in travel nurses during Covid, but signs are pointing to that diminishing back to normal levels and now that MTRs are becoming so prevalent (especially targeting nurses) I expect an oversaturation of MTR supply for nurses in a lot of areas. 

I use those miles when prices spike and it makes sense to use miles for a trip.. or in the past I only used the miles for international business class which is a great use for those miles and paid for first class tickets on all business trips.. keep in mind you get a ton of perks with first class tickets no charge on luggage no change fee no cancel fee special check in line plus special line for TSA if your not TSA pre check which we always are anyway.. sometimes a discount to the lounges which again are critical for the frequent flyers enjoyment and experience. 

You will move at your own speed on things---uncomfortable things might take longer.As long as you FAIL to GIVE UP...you will get "Somewhere" new.And that is the only failure you should accept out of yourself.And don't make unrealistic goals, such as I walk past the Empire State Building every day on my W2 job, and I'm going to buy it.Unless you're (for instance) Lucky Larry Silverstein of WTC fame.Which is the opposite advise many people who want to sell you something will say.But something like me and my friend want to start a coffee shop in the lobby, and need to get money saved up and get a well heeled investor might be realistic for someone.I say that because your not going to be very motivated to do things towards something you know you cannot achieve (even though there are probably people reading this that can buy the Empire State building if they want).Good Luck!

I was originally saving to buy a home and have a decent down payment that I'm still building but with the massive spike in the market down here since the beginning of Covid, buying the home we would want has slipped out of reach. 

So despite the crashes and spikes we've seen over the last 20 years, there is still a positive appreciation across the board. 

@Michael Baum Art is my Achilles heel.