With both, I will receive a nice downpayment and inflated monthly payments, which will help with paying my loan. 

If your goal is a dependable passive income that will get you off and keep you off the daily worker treadmill, you partially defined the location requirements.A dependable passive income is -Reliable - You continuously receive income in good and bad economic times.Inflation Compensating - Your rental income grows faster than inflation, compensating for rising prices.Persistent – The income continues for a long time; you and your spouse will not outlive the income.2.

Inflation is real and we will have to endure some major pain to bring it down and the housing market is a lagging market indicator as to how the economy is trending.  

Seems as though Americans are spending more money fixing up the homes that they currently live in at mortgage rates that were locked in around 2.75% from when the pandemic was subsiding as opposed to buying new homes with inflated purchase prices, and mortgages in the 6.75-7.25% area for a 30 year FRM.Anyone have any thoughts on this?

The recent decline in rates and forecasts suggesting further rate improvements as inflation wanes, suggest it's time to get ready.For the foreseeable future, investors are in a strong position to ask for price reductions, seller incentives and favorable terms.Stay tuned for future updates on the ever-evolving Metro Phoenix market.

  $25K would go pretty far at 95% LTV (FHA), but 1) in San Diego market, not far enough 2) Out of State has additional risk and effort.  3) At the high LTV, the cash flow is going to be negative in virtually all markets with long term appreciation above the inflation rate.  

Both you and I could take her approach and tailor it to pitching to our clients whether they identify as investors or just people who don't want their money rotting in the banks thanks to inflation.

Based on current inflation and rates, if that 5.5% rate is fixed for the 10 years, that rate is quite favorable.  

The FED has been deliberate with interest rate hikes, and I'm very certain that in this month's FED meeting (happening today or tomorrow) they will continue to raise interest rates (mainly because inflation is still too high). 

When interest rates are as low as they were just over a year ago, the 30 year loan is an hedge against inflation.