I would check TiresDrive it with no radio check for sounds a slight tick in a ranger is fine noisy lifters are normal.check the engine for blow by check for good acceleration and compression when laying on the throttle

Very interesting read and i think it would be helpful.long term....gotta look at macro scale, demographics, and how you feel about loacation to actually live.I invest in urban areas that are growing in population.

If you are looking at macro scale pros/cons consider the stock of housing vs new job creation in each area.

Looking at a macro scale they may seem very different but when you truly look at micro costs then they are surprisingly similar.

I follow macro trends and noticed that in the last few months, the Bay Area, Manhattan, Vancouver and other high price areas are starting to soften significantly but there are still deals to be had in other parts of the country.

I think it is a market correction talking on the macro level.  

When I saw the post outlining the ideal introductory post asking what my goals in real estate were, I felt that something too macro wouldn't really convey my ambitions.I would definitely appreciate any and all advice you can have about the market in San Diego because right now I am relying on information online and day trips to San Diego when my realtor recommends a property matching my specifications.

They are noisy in the middle of the night.

Nope.Personally, I'd imagine there are many other cyclical, and short-term macro-economic events between now and then could make you rich or bankrupt in real estate many times over, before the water rises enough to impact your plans. 

Being from Tampa, FL the same thing is happening there I had to leave the city, it's way too noisy and crowded.TL;DR: As an investor so long as the market is in the rebound phase, and jobs are moving in.