Real estate has always been a very good hedge against inflation and as the currency is loosing value - even if the asset is flatlining - it goes up measured in currency.Inventory is the second reason.

If you bought the pair for $120K 3 years ago and can get $150K and they can be problematic, I'd sell and use the money to get a better rental. 

Just got my builders license for Michigan. I am wondering what the benefit of getting my real estate license would be. I ultimately want to build homes to sell for profit (spec homes). I don’t want to be a real estate...

Not only is sales price a limiting factor in this area but if you pair it with the average rent to price ratio being less than to 0.5% it is easy to see why a lot of folks from markets similar to Seattle & San Francisco are forced to look in other markets to get started in REI.

However, I have a nagging fear that the USA may suffer a major financial collapse, currency crisis, major war, or other catastrophe that could prove to be a challenging environment for anyone who is highly leveraged to survive financially.

Regarding gaining more experience in my niche, I’m willing to "work shadow" others that are like minded and that have similar goals who need an extra pair of hands, and that are willing to show me the ropes in the process.

One way I might be able to help is that I am part of a program that pairs recent college graduates with tech jobs in Detroit, so I know a lot of people moving to Detroit looking for new places to live.  

@Dave Currence@Bill Exeteris a great resource for these questions in case you'd like more information.

This pair was very crafty.

I am just looking to see what other money options (besides asking family for money) could pair nicely with the large chunk we got from the HELOC to get things moving along.