Show them the history of 30 year fixed mortgage rate & explain that the only reason rates got as low as they did is because the Federal Reserve started Quantitative Easing during the during the recession and then again during COVID.Here's the graph showing the impact of Quantitative Easing (QE) on interest rates.

A client of mine recently invested there and raves aboutt the ease of finding solid contractors who stick to the budget.One piece of advice: before jumping into any market, spend time understanding the local economy, demand drivers (like job growth and population trends), and the landloard laws.

Everyone will tell you it’s great to get started early, or you can just move after a year, but in the current environment in our region the rent your property will generate after you move out will likely be less than your mortgage, if you are tied to the area and feel confident you want to stay in whatever property you buy for 3-5 years go for it, if you want flexibility rent and throw that money into and index fund. 

Whether you're looking for short-term rentals, long-term rentals, or fix-and-flips, Florida has something to offer.Favorable Tax Environment: Florida boasts no state income tax, making it an attractive option for investors looking to maximize their returns.Year-Round Appeal: Unlike seasonal markets, Florida offers consistent rental demand year-round.

You'll get a feel for the age of the neighborhoods, the vitality of the commercial buildings, the ease of location, the closeness to jobs.The markets you're describing are more linear, and usually have lower capital appreciation.

As @Jonathan Greene mentioned this is kind of a dated strategy in the new price/interest rate environment.

Our long term plan is to ease into real estate investing or being a small landlord with minimal headaches or complications.

Pricelabs costs but the ease with which all the comp sets are gathered and updates both calendars on Airbnb & VRBO make the subscription worth it to me.

Only in this way can they stand out in this ever-changing environment.

But if you’re looking for a more stable, family-friendly environment with lower costs and a focus on LTRs, Texas could be a better fit.Since you have young kids, I’d dig deeper into school districts and neighborhoods in both states—family life can really shape where you’ll feel at home.