Find something the well off, or well enough off, want and are willing to pay for and supply it. :-)

Many bears are in the camp that the credit bubble has supplied much of the appreciation we have seen over the past 10 years, and the trend is soon to break down. 

Many investors would not be excited by your example.The answer relates to risk tolerance; supply vs demand; and other factors (location, location)...But sure, one reason why investing in Real Estate works is because renters keep on renting!

Just a huge supply of duplexes in this area.

The reason I ask is we are pitching this model to friends that may want to invest and get involved and I want to build an accurate performa.That being said, do you all have insight on what the original startup cost is for furnishings, small appliances such as coffee machines and first round of consumables (ie coffee, cleaning supplies, toilet paper etc)?

@Chris Munichiello The crystal ball isn't exactly my thing, but given the *severe* shortage of homes on the market, I expect prices to continue to climb in the short to medium term.As of Q4 2018, Suffolk County (Boston) was down to a 1.3 month supply. 

*Another KEY factor that a lot of people (including myself until I actually did a bunch of deals) overlook is rental supply/demand in a market.

If your contract says materials (a blanket statement) and that you were supplying the fixtures only, I would argue that the subcontractor is getting ALL materials needed to get the scope of work completed excluding the fixtures you are supplying.  

You may use your laundry gas supply line, but need to make sure it will work.

Swelling and deterioration was noted to the gas supply line for the gas logs where it penetrates the foundation wall at the right end of the crawlspace.