We were heavily leveraged but not over leveraged (very important because we did not need to sell when the market was later depressed). 

People increased occupancy by either moving in with family or friends so the demand went down but the banks were holding many foreclosed properties empty so the supply also diminished.There is no way of knowing if the next large recession/depression will behave similarly so the safe investor should be in a position to cover extended periods of reduce rents and potentially long periods of vacancy.We have been RE buy n hold investors since the mid- 1970s and have never experienced a significant rent decline in our market but in that time we have seen significant rent declines in other markets. 

not mine YET but ....my NEW 'lets flip a place partner' got a little depressed when a flip we bought was $10K more than his friends POS single story foreclosure buy sitting on wooden piers, (furnace, laundry & hw tank all in the very tiny kitchen) .

I would be living under the same roof, different unit.Property numbers that I've thought about:Listed price: $79,0003 units (currently renting at $425, $450, landlord/$0) - month-to-monthRight across from school, in a Class C neighborhood, street on nicely kept residential with regular police presence, but sketchy loan places within 5 minutes and crime map is full of "disorders".House built mid-1800sMonthly ExpensesTax -- $138.75Insurance -- $62.50Utilities --$60.00 (split with girlfriend)HOA -- $0Vacancy -- $60.00 (5% of the time or unless I really mess up Valentine's Day)Repairs (cleaning) -- $100.00CapEx (replacements) -- $100.00Prop.

yea we have alot of money in low cost index funds as of now. they work great in between saving for a property with cash.I've though about leverage but between the p and I cap ex maitnance vacancy and all the other stuff it is cheaper to buy the condo with cash then up and sell it when I can buy the duplex. taxes are high here for homes on there own lot the condo is closer to 1 percent property taxes were as single family homes and duplexes and such are closer to 2 percent to 2.2 percent so that is a big reason why it makes more sense as of now.yea just this first duplex I want to pay cash for. after that I have no problem with leverage. but if we live in it it's gotta be paid for it creates a very stable rock so if the wind blows hard I am protected and have no worrysit really helps ease my anxiaty disorder and will prevent a stroke at a early age. a large reason as well is we cant qualify for a morgage that large.

The only real explanation I can come up with is that maybe she lived through the Great Depression.

BUT...it might be that you have that really nice 2 1/2" bead board that was popular from 1880 up until Great Depression.

As a super-depressing slightly unrelated reference point....

Instead of doubling your income my way you would be tripling your income at no greater risk.Are you hiding a hoarding disorder :)  

I can tell you what I have found on the NON tourist side of the Island is very depressing.