Because of skyrocketing costs and a shortage of qualified contractors here, there are unfortunately many who essentially can *never* go home again as their insurance coverage is not sufficient to pay the bill.

I like the fact that you didn't let your shortage on free time stop you.

The GR is a rare event so maybe not likely.My market has at least 60 years of long-term appreciation, vacancy rates consistently below 3.5%, unemployment rate of 2.8% (May - probably lower now), no supply (no where to build and large existing housing shortage), positive net migration, guaranteed increase to minimum wage (already passed). 

And where there is marked housing shortages as in California, that too has driven prices up even if the population is not expanding as quickly.  

Also, there is a housing and rental shortage here and if someone wanted to rent a 4br home for $2,000, they should be able to do so easily if the home is in good condition and use a property manager.

There’s no shortage of millionaires on here who were told over and over they will never make it .

When your getting started in RE you’ll have no shortage of negative people and chicken littles in your life telling you 857 reasons why it’s a bad idea ,why it’s risky ,why it won’t work ,why you’ll lose money ..etc instead surround yourself with wise counsel and don’t allow your fear of losing money to overpower your desire to be an investor.

So there is actually a HUGE shortage of contractors nation wide.

This is also a small private college town, so there’s no shortage of tenants now or in the foreseeable future.

We have a shortage of contractors in the area right now so I'm sure you'd have plenty of side work opportunities if you wanted or needed them!