Translation: the demand for rental housing is stronger than it has been in most of our lifetimes (I'm 61), and is expected to continue rising, barring any major financial disasters or similar.I would say, get in now by whatever means you can.Overall, I'm a strong proponent of "invest for income" and use that to pay down your debts.

If done right,  you can enter the commercial market at much higher price point (translated as low cost per door... translated as higher profit margin) down the road. 

I'm all about the books that can be translated to have an impact in real life - not the kind that is just filled with new/cool ideas to chew on.

But that doesn't mean it will translate to REI.

Whether this translates into a slump I don't know.Thoughts?

A higher mix of home ownership usually translates to higher rents.

That said, if you start talking to lenders and hear things like 5-year balloon, full-recourse, etc. and that translates (for you) into "it's hard to sleep at night with those terms" then stick to cash.  

My guess is something got lost in translation with that Lender.

What I don't have a good grasp on is whether modernizing it and turning it very luxurious will translate to the same amount of added value at the end.

“Contracting experience” does not always translate to a carpet installer.