In other words, I want to make the argument that even the worst-case scenario is better than allowing the house to sit vacant for several years while meanwhile paying out-of-pocket for taxes, minimal heat, lawn care, etc.

After the tenant moved in the repair calls starting coming in 9 times in 12 months - backdoor was stuck again (that was part of minor repairs), heat went out, AC not cooling, kitchen sink leaking,  etc.

Jared,Usually its the other way around you move from Chicago to Miami get out of the cold to get into the heat.

However, due to the anticipated gap in necessary units we anticipate the occupancy rate will increase slightly in the future.If you're a buyer right now what all this is telling me is right now is the time to be taking swings while things are cool and before they heat back up literally and figuratively.

Vancouver will capture the heat produced by bitcoin mining, to heat the city. 

Hello @Jordan Wisser,I agree with you regarding competition heating up if/when rates drop.

You will likely have common area lighting (interior and exterior), perhaps heating and cooling too. 

Many properties in Macon lack central heat and air which I feel is a "must-have" amenity in GA.

Affordability is about 1:3So yeah on the surface it looks like a big difference, but there's a lot of things not controlled for in the stats- There were a crazy amount of houses built in the years just after the war, so housing stock was easy to come by everywhere;- Homes had nowhere near the kind of features they have now - 2 car garages, dishwashers, OTC microwaves, W/D hookups, high efficiency windows, central heat & air conditioning, etc - all those doodads and niceties drive up the cost of housing;- Fewer mortgages were 30 year, so homeowners had to pay (relatively) higher monthly payments;- Rentals were almost exclusively apartments, so there was more supply for buyers;ETCI think these things tend to be more stories that make for good press but aren't really that grounded in reality overall.

I would rather let it sit empty with no wear and tear than take $1700 a month and pay probably $300/month for heat in the winter.