It is close to impossible to time a market however there are specific actions that you can take to ensure that your strategy is considerate of where we are in the market and credit cycles.1) Buy for cashflow - this is the golden rule, if you have cashflow you can hold on to your asset2) Buy in areas with strong underlying economic fundamentals (population growth, jobs growth, wage growth and employment diversity), avoid markets that are speculative3) Focus on asset classes that can potentially do better in a recession e.g. class B/C multifamily versus Class A development4) Lock in long term financing5) Be conservative with how much leverage you use6) Build up cash reserves so that you can capitalize on any opportunitiesIt can be very expensive to sit on the sidelines waiting for something to happen, better to figure out a way to stay involved safely.

You can't just alter the fundamental meaning of a word and expect others to somehow magically agree with you.An asset is an economic resource that a) can be owned, and b) is expected to provide future economic benefits.Is a brick of gold an asset? 

While the answer includes a myriad of factors, the answer primarily comes down to:Jobs, jobs, jobs – coupled with a surge in population to fill open positionsA severe housing shortage existed in 2020 and 2021Strong apartment market fundamentals (i.e., high rent growth and high occupancy rates)Low barriers to entry and easy/cheap moneyHuntsville’s status as one of the nation’s most well-educated STEM cities has been a prime attractor of major employers and their staffing needs, resulting in a doubling of the Huntsville Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA) annual population growth rate over the past five years.The pandemic triggered a population migration across the country, helping to fuel Huntsville’s growth as it offers a great quality of life, high-paying jobs and easy access to abundant outdoor and cultural activities.These attributes helped secure Huntsville’s rating as the No. 1 “Place to Live in the Country” by U.S.

Although the book I am going to suggest is made specific to Canada (and most Biggerpockets users are American) I believe it still provides excellent insight on the key fundamentals that investors should pay attention to when assessing the direction/cycle the real estate market is headed.

For example I just sold a house, made 240K in two years give or take after expenses, and can now roll that profit into index funds, turn key properties, etc.Yes, appreciation is a bit more risky, but I wouldn't call it gambling if you know the economic fundamentals. 

if the fundamentals on the market and location are sound there is always a way to creatively work through and imrpove the operations.  

Many of the processes would be fundamentally changed by self-showing lockboxes, but core practices continued.

The #1 reason people go eXp vs KW, is the fundamental design of the brokerage and what it means. 

All of the fundamentals are still very good.

I find it confusing how a field inspector would not recognize that fundamental fact, as no department would issue permits if zoning 1st required a variance approval prior to permitting. 2nd, if you have field inspection card and signatures of field inspection approvals, it may be simply a clerical data entry error on the municipality.