The short version is that you want a strong and diverse job market, low unemployment rates, a growing population, low vacancy rates and new development, affordability/cost of living, real estate laws and court system, good schools, and low crime.Check out the videos from Dave Meyers with BiggerPockets.

This, in turn, allows for higher rental rates or quicker sales, directly impacting the ROI.I could remember when an investor purchased an old, three-story commercial building at  a bustling downtown area.

Now with higher interest rates, and slower sales, the profits are being squeezed, thus an increase in risk for the potential flippers. 

Currently we are seeing STR owners posting for sale due to reduction in prices they can get per night and the vacancy rate increasing. 

Luckily the family in my rental is paying $9000/mo (3x my mortgage) so I am gaining signifigant wiggle room for mistakes.

When loans were called, was it due to specific triggers like delinquencies, insurance lapses, or low-interest rate portfolio loans held by smaller banks?

By the time I was ready to jump back in and buy again rates had shot up as had prices.

For the $525K property, with the low mortgage rate(you will probably never get a such low rate), it might make sense to hold onto it for now, especially if you can still sell it as a primary residence within the next three years and avoid capital gains taxes.

Shorter term CD's actually have higher rates than longer term so staying in the 3-6 month range is best.  

Hey @Brett Baker, generally, any place with a great water view or directly on the water will bring more revenue.Of course profitability will all be based on purchase price and prevailing nightly rates in the area.If you find a cool 2/2 or 3/2 right on the water with a great view for 1.5m or a 2/2 or 3/2 house a block away for 600k, then I would look at the house over the condo.