If that's my experience in a small town, I suspect it's probably everywhere.

@Shaun Ortiz providing for the future needs of my family, RE is my retirement planning vehicle of choice.

Thanks @Dell Schlabach , Yes, this was my 2nd flip. 

At that point in time the market was still hot for properties at my price point in my buy box.

My personal opinion is that, while shifting investments into real estate may be the right move for your situation, there is likely a lot of work to be done before you get to that step to avoid a potentially costly mistake. 

My family will occupy one unit, while the other will be available for rent starting in the spring of 2025.

My team and I are actively working on a hotel-to-multifamily conversion and growing our portfolio of value-add apartment properties.

That's exactly how I did my first two deals...

I’d appreciate any guidance or tips to get started on the right path.

i set strict qualifications for my rental 3x income credit score of 700.