All else being equal, lower mortgage rates reduce the cost of ownership and, thereby, allow more people to afford to buy.

People listing a budget of 50k, 100k, 200k in NJ (never will happen).

People are always unpredictable, be cautious.

Look at how people invested 20, 40, or 60 years ago.

This is the fork where I'm not sure if I'd be good to get some CRE exp and invest in learning about how to review deals for the next 2-3 years, or focus on generating revenue for investment purposes and watch how things are done as a LP.My personality more aligns with networking, reaching out to people, connecting, navigating difficult situations and finding solutions that work.

While I doubt I'll be investing here (terrified that property taxes and the pension debt will ultimately cripple property values), I'm always interested in meeting new people.

I suggest you start out by meeting like minded people and here is a link to a local meetup in the OC: https://www.biggerpockets.com/forums/521/topics/1225233-ocre...Good Investing...

2) You MUST screen these people before renting to them, but you can use FurnishedFinders screening tool3) Otherwise, you can put your choice of screening link in your ad or include in a response template in FF.

Chances are they are paying others who are not as accommodating as you (amazing how people will make those car payments while jeopardizing their homes) - and it's time for them to move on to housing they can afford and to a tenant that does not require you to subsidize them.  

The list of people who helped me - took a risk on me, taught me what they knew, showed me an example of what not to do, gave me their time, believed in me, and even those who questioned me, broke contracts with me, owed me money - is innumerable, and I'm grateful to every one of them.Today was an exciting day, and there will be more like it in the months ahead!