I would go for the #2 scenario as the market is expected to pick up quite a bit this summer when rates should drop and more buyers that have been on the sidelines come back in and heat it back up.

It was also the reason why many people decided to sit on the sidelines - uncertainty of where the market was headed coupled with the hope that when the bottom presented itself they could maximize their purchasing power.So where are these deals?

We could deploy $$$ into better rental opportunities, fix and flip, or eat some popcorn on the sidelines.

Ultimately, I know I just need to get started and over time my goal can become to improve my strategy with every deal.I don't want to live on the sidelines lol. 

A mastermind program could potentially worsen your analysis paralysis, as it's simply more time on the sidelines.

Don't wait on the sidelines forever.

Or just sit on the sidelines with cash on hand till a good deal comes along. 

I agree with you that there are not many great cash flowing deals and it has truly become appreciation play right now.I am also waiting on the side lines for few months to see how things pan out macro economy wise.

So every investor looking to buy in Austin should think whether they want to buy when the market has already gone up so much and risk losing their capital or they want to stay on the sideline waiting for a crash knowing fully well that it may not happen in the next 3 -5 years and lose appreciation potential.

Those sitting sidelines waiting to do Real-Estate-Paychecks, well they better get comfortable on those seats, there gonna be there a long while.