But overall I don't typically notice a ton of fluctuation in pricing. 

I didn't realize how differently the numbers can fluctuate for people that are use to doing 20% down and having money on hand for renovations.

Either way, his all-green credit report goes back far earlier than the move from his house, so whatever caused that, did not damage his credit.She has highly-fluctuating but generally low income, credit score 513, credit report looks like a paintball target; two accounts written off as bad debt, one in 2009, one in 2012.I'm not sure how to evaluate this situation....In evaluating the debt load that this rent would put on them, I am disregarding her (low and unreliable) income, and looking at his; the rent on this house will be about 50% of his income.

Although, since IRR fluctuates year to year, you’d have to make every effort to sell in the year(s) where the IRR is at or above your target.

But in the same time frame prices here homes are 10-15 times the price of 1976 and in the KC area they are flat.Yes, I know they have fluctuated in that time but I wouldn't bet my hard earned money on whether I can guess the right side of the bell curve.Congratulations on your purchases and I hope you continue to grow your portfolio.

Our long-term is a 2/1 and pays $1750/month, our mid/term is a 1/1 (but 900sqft, so pretty roomy) and is $2400/month (we'll fluctuate this a bit, drop during slow months by $100 or so).Our properties are in either 27103 (Ardmore, between the two hospitals) or 27101 (West Salem, just south of downtown).

This allows me to make quick decisions on if I am going to go after a property or not - and even if I am not looking to buy anything, I still look at all new properties so I can start seeing fluctuations in the market.

Talk to a broker in the market about what you plan on buying. 50 miles away is not that far and your materials will not fluctuate much if at all.

As Ram mentioned, condo property values also fluctuate much more then SFH's and this must be factored into your investment plan. 

In the 3 markets were considering moving to, we'd expect some seasonal fluctuations in demand/pricing elasticity, but overall, would expect to have some relatively healthy occupancy rates year-round (say, 70-80%)Appreciation would be more the icing-on-the-cake than anything, so a properties ability to CASH FLOW is more important to us than the rate with which it may appreciate in value.