@Oleg Shalumov - The more I read about cozy.co the better it looks and there seems to be no shortage of good feedback/recommendations on using them - we're heavily leaning towards using them at this point. 

I have heard both sides - half of the people saying RE will trend upwards for several years given gainfull employment opportunities and a adventageous business climate along with a continued shortage of housing; I have also heard to wait to invest until around the 3rd quarter of 2019 when housing is more abundant and the economic trend demands a downward curve. 

On the other side, there is a housing shortage in most areas. 

My thoughts are pretty much based on events in the past few months (ie Paris, San Bernardino, and many many massacres) as well as the 2016 cover of The Economist, ie they have a baby staring at a globe which represents the growing global pandemic of a virus patented decades ago and spread by GMmosquitoes and effective in reducing brain mass/intelligence of most children of infected mothers.That plus school shootings, massacres, water shortages, power outages, and a possible shutdown of EBT Food Stamps could quickly spark a chaos scenario in America's most populous multifamilies & cities.Look around at how many commercial/retail spaces are vacant.

When taxes and insurance go up, you will get an escrow shortage letter, and they will adjust your payment to make sure the required cushion is always in the account.If you put down 20%, most lenders will give you the choice on whether or not you want to escrow for taxes and insurance.

Our market has a shortage in quality, affordable homes at prices I can’t build for.

Specifically to this question of inventory, there is a definite housing shortage so an increase in inventory isn't a bad thing and may help to stabilize the market or sway it back to the buyers side. 

With current construction prices, material shortages and the general lack of availability of builders in our local area, I am now considering selling the land which has also appreciated significantly in value. 

ONCE YOU START--YOU CAN'T STOPEnded up being 100k (covid material shortages and delays geeeze)Absolutely beautiful!!!

Its the logical next step with housing shortages.