I feel this market is a great place to be personally but understanding values fluctuate street by street can make things a little tricky.Good Luck!

Observing volume fluctuations in regions, government policy effects, various buyer types, and learning about the most recent financing available has given me an MBA in Real Estate.

I'm extra skeptical if a property's value has seemingly fluctuated wildly. 

That doesn't mean buy a bad deal but small fluctuations aren't going to matter especially if you plan to buy and hold.

The money's not bad, but it's hardly passive income and is prone to seasonal fluctuations. 

Just make sure your buying good deals and market fluctuations shouldn't have a significant impact on you.

I personally prefer stability in all areas i can find it. having a note which fluctuates on rates and payments, to me, sounds extra chaotic. 

I do like the sounds of 0% while getting positive cash flow, but I also like walking into a property and having some equity so that I could quickly sell if I had to, especially if there are market fluctuations or your situation changes.  

My credit fluctuates between 725 - 745.

Unfornutely when I first started out, being from Ca where the taxes don't fluctuate like other states do when prices go up and not being familiar with hurricanes etc, I invested in areas where the taxes and the insur skyrocketed thus leaving a negative cashflow after I had done my #s.