As for my parents, yes they can take out a HELOC which is the plan and the reason they offered us ~4% return, but they made the offer with the assumption that our house money was not tied up in the stock market, and was sitting safely in the bank.Had the stock market been volatile and we cashed out of the stock market and had the cash in the bank, I'd say the 4% isn't a bad offer.

Since it tracks the stock market it's volatile so I just set it and forget it.

Condos are better deals for cash investors because of their higher price and equity volatility.

I would also point out Chicago is more likely to be volatile while Texas is more stable and growing.I would sell the Indiana home, as well.

It seems ironic to use a highly volatile currency to fund a sometimes volatile industry.

It seems ironic to use a highly volatile currency to fund a sometimes volatile industry.

Duplexes look to be less volatile.  

I have an analyzer that out lines the expenses but basically use 10% maintain10% cap ex10% vacancy and leasing feeAnd 5% for beer because it’s a rough volatile ride when you have a turnover.

The efforts of real estate syndicators are to find and provide opportunity to investors, also referred to as Limited Partners, that can achieve returns in line with their own portfolio investment goals, but through a tangible asset that many would consider safer, and certainly less volatile, than the stock market. 

I normally don't but the recent volatility has provided more obvious opportunities.