I figured since Michigan is more economically depressed, the loan scale had to be different, and that's where I ultimately found success.

When I was at the lowest point of my life (no steady work, bad relationships, depressed....), I decided to make a change.

How depressing.

We live in an apartment, have been here for 13 years, worked at the same store for almost 5 years making the same pay (basically, 10cents above minimum wage, even though here the Minimum Wage has risen 3 times since I have been there, so I got 3 raises lol) and its hard when I tell my son I can not afford to get him something, its even harder not going to bed getting depressed because you can not do something for your family.

Financing was virtually impossible so the prices remained depressed much longer than SFR units.  

@Mike E.I know you feel depressed but honestly,  I do not see these numbers as 'extremely embarrassing to share' as you claimed.

Even in the Great Depression of 1928, the stock market recovered in ~18 months. 

That being said, if the market goes even 2/3 times higher in next several years or after short slight depression if it bounces way up again wouldn't mind flipping.

Care needs to be taken if you can see any manic issues, they may change attitudes from any high being excited over the deal to being very depressed months later.

This single nugget of wisdom has stayed with me and it was particularly useful during the current depression we are experiencing.