The one stop shopping is definitely the appeal, but remains hard to find.  

/shrugAlso, with inflation the way it's going, it may be silly to not keep debt on the books.

The condo I'm selling in CA could sell for approximately $600k, and I was thinking of rolling that into 2 condo/townhomes valued at about $250k each, then doing DST for the remaining around $100 for the 1031.

I think that '25 will be a transition year ("end the dive in '25") for the reasons you stated--construction will fall off in Q2-3 but demand will remain...that sparks rent growth.Interest rates:  Yes, flat to up. 

Given the next 3 years have 10% inflation?  

Why not the remaining $5.00? 

And it also concentrates the equity in your remaining property. 

Relative AffordabilityDespite recent price increases, Buffalo’s housing market remains more affordable compared to many other U.S. metros.

Rent growth is a function of supply, demand, and interest rates:- I'd ground any forecast by stating I expect national rents to rise on a pace more or less in line with inflation over any long time period. 2-3% per year.

Hello @Matt PowersThere are REI opportunities in different markets - markets in the Midwest and Southeast of the country are great - where not only are the purchase prices reasonable for most RE investors, but the homes are turnkey (new builds or completely rehabbed homes, tenant ready, systems 10 years of life remaining on them, property management teams in place) with appreciating home value AND appreciating rent with promising passive cash flow.It really comes down to investing in a growing market, in a good neighborhood & building a great team to support you.