I understand that appreciation certainly helps an individual build equity, but I also am attracted to consistent cash-flow with a steady (albeit possibly slower) appreciation growth. 

A friend of mine had a client who successfully partnered with a regional claims adjuster, and it brought consistent bookings for months.2.

Real Estate or ART or Jewelry or your kids baseball card collection.The principles apply to whatever you are buying. 

I don't number my properties (I don't own anything anymore I don't want to keep) but I do keep tabs on my net profit independent of income taxes on each unit because if a unit starts to slip I need to know if it can be salvaged (have I been consistent with rent increases?

It seems unlikely that he is avoiding you since he has been so consistent.

To streamline design choices, create a design guide or "mood board" beforehand to stay consistent with finishes that match the neighborhood's expectations.For monitoring progress, a property manager can sometimes oversee construction, but it’s typically better to rely on the GC for updates.

Focus on building trust and staying consistent with your outreach.You’re in one of the most dynamic markets in the country, and it’s clear you’re making smart moves.

While I’m proud to be in the top 5% rated hosts in my area (for my, I’m determined to maintain a consistent presence on the front page of Airbnb.

If you have a solid ARV AND a great GC / team that you trust to do good work, consistently, and can stick to the timeline planned, even with hard money you will still make money at 75 or 80%, albeit a little less than at 70%. 

Solution: Use metrics that are consistent between your annual goals and quarterly milestones.