Lots of options besides what is the best real estate asset class that will survive what may be on the horizon. 

I agree it seems to be better for a longer time horizon.

If your time horizon to be working a W-2 job was longer, the payoff of an MBA would make more sense to me.Also, I would not underestimate the amount of effort that a demanding grad program will require. 

Another idea would be with foreclosures on the horizon, you look into preforeclosures or people who are behind on their payments.

I will definitely talk to Horizon bank tomorrow.

I foresee major issues on the horizon when owners/developers need to refi and credit/loans are simply not available at any cost.That was the big takeaway for me from the last financial crisis... there was no bid... that's the scary bit.

BP is only a blip on the horizon in real terms.

Extrapolate this over a long enough time horizon and the compound interest of your labors will be the difference maker that separates you from the rest.

I've been reading up on the EV factory boom in Ohio, and homes in Colombus seem to fit in my budget, and also offer good upside potential in the 5yr+ time horizon. 

Looking at the purchase over this time horizon helped me a lot in making my decisions.