Use census and trend data to evaluate overall markets - population growth, age, job growth, industry diversification etc.

When you look at job growth and population growth, it looks positive to me.

This may be challenging with both of you in full-time W2 jobs, but worth considering if one of you can transition to real estate part-time.Alternatively, the Short-Term Rental (STR) loophole offers another path.

Investment Info:

Single-family residence fix & flip investment.

Purchase price: $1,250,000

Cash invested: $260,000

Sale price: $1,875,000

Discover your 2,350 sq. ft. coastal oasis on a spacio...

I ask because I've interviewed a number of general contractors over the years for my various real estate projects and am shocked at how the vast majority showed up to the job site to give an estimate in a vehicle that did not display their contractor license number or business name.Aside from this one issue, they'd often have great portfolios, long list of successful permits I could verify they pulled, great references, no complaints on their license, and had been licensed for over a decade.

I am trying to go on maternity leave soon and may have to leave my job completely due to the boss not hiring anyoneto take over while I am supposed to be on leave soon!!

It sounds like you've done a great job setting yourself up for options.

Have some income coming in but not from a job.  

All of us have stable jobs and no other outstanding concerns.

@blaine @Blaine Alger In general, you're right about blue collar jobs, but I do think that white collar jobs are on their way up in Waco.