@Jay Hinrichs - average acquisition will be $20-$30k which is on $50k+ propertiesI will be more cautious on $100k properties in 2019 as with real estate softening that price range seems to get hit very hard compared to some of the lower priced housing.

With real estate prices softening, you’ll do okay of your place is rented out and cash flowing, but it may not make sense to sell for several years if we have a recession.

Rates not likely to improve but prices are already starting to soften.

Our Plan A was to sell both, but with the softening of the market, we are preparing for our Plan B, which is to keep both units as rentals (minimum 5 years or until the market improves).

If the property values in your market soften, if the tenant moves in and destroys it, fire, earthquakes, floods, hail, hurricane, another lock down requires you to keep a non-paying tenant - honestly anything - and my position in the property is at jeopardy.

Prices haven't softened yet, but I could see that changing. 

If the market softens going into 2023, you would be getting the capital back in time to make a purchase on the dip, and you have made some monthly cash flow in the process.There is a book on BiggerPockets about private lending that Beth Johnson and I co-authored, so this happens to be my preferred strategy.

but I don't really want to risk going through a tough escrow with a novice buyer trying to shave me down with contingencies and unreasonable demands related to inspections... especially in a softening buyer's market.

The job numbers that came out today are showing a softening labor market. 

I see pricing as softening slightly - those still attempting to sell off of total payoff will have to come back to reality if they truly want to move assets.