They are nearing retirement and have children in school.

-> WInding creek- Good schools, costly good rents.     

I like option 2 to diversify the investments in 3 smaller rental propertires, 3/2 around 1500 sqft, in good school districts which will open the biggest pool of tenants. 

Believe it or not there are still a few "old-school" counties but those are few and far between and the volume is low.

The rental market is already showing signs of recovery:Spring Is Coming: Historically, the rental market picks up momentum in the spring as tenants prepare to move during warmer months or ahead of the school year.Early 2025 Trends Are Positive: In just the first week of January, we’ve seen a dramatic increase in rental applications, suggesting pent-up demand from renters who delayed their searches in November and December.What Landlords Can Do NowTo make the most of this recovery, consider:Refreshing Your Listings: Update your photos, descriptions, and pricing to ensure your properties stand out.Offering Incentives: Temporary discounts or move-in bonuses can help fill vacancies quickly.Being Patient: The market is already bouncing back, so don’t panic if your property takes a bit longer to lease than usual.What’s been your experience?

We appreciate your support and understanding during this challenging time.A medical note attached simply says "1 year leave from school for medical reasons"Please advise on what is the best recourse in handling a situation like this?

I bought a Class A (nice Indy suburban home with excellent schools) in 2013 and it's appreciated (doubled in value from 2013 to 2021) and I'm positive cash flow because of my low interest rate, 3.875%.

I've been a real estate investor my entire life, doing my first deal as a senior in high school ($5,000 mobile home).

Also, she's my elementary school teacher and I know her well and I'm the agent. 

We look at things like safety, unemployment, schools.