In a way it sounds easier to me than investing in my business, because I've struggled scaling my business with paid ads (which is the main investment I could make on it) and because with real estate as long as I don't try to play smart (by buying a foreclosure or a fixer or something inherently risky) and if I keep it long enough, then chances are that it would make money in the long run.. don't you think?

I love the Smokies as a long-term play.

And virtually all of them had owned rentals and maybe kept a few but were just tired on the TTT but wanted monthly cash flow . so there probably is some of that at play as well Investors that dont want to deal with the PM aspect of owning RE..

Let’s be honest, I’ve watched folks who jump into this game as if playing roulette.. firing off offers on duplexes in Phoenix or leaning on some “sure-thing” house hack in Austin without ever sketching out their plan.

As you mentioned those specific details about MTRs geared toward traveling healthcare professionals, these are things I think would help us tremendously as landlords because we play both roles.

PG's are worthless those that have PGs that are worth anything dont need gap funding they have the cash.this is a play for folks you know well .. not for internet facebook BP etc.. people that do this do it because they know you like you trust you and think your a good operator.Public has to many other choices that are much safer bet.. its not always about ROI with those with money..

If you’re looking to build long term wealth, accumulate assets, take advantage of tax code, and benefit from appreciation, then play the appreciation long game.

The rooms are unfurnished and the tenants are very low-maintenance (hardly know they are there). 2+Unit Buildings here and nearby currently sell for $1.5M on average.I bought the property 16 years ago, so my mortgage rate is very low (2.2%) Even though the property is cashflow positive, my bigger play is the average 5% yearly appreciation.I'm looking for others who are interested in house-hacking in this neighborhood. 

How about realizing that when you use the current property taxes of a property you are buying to calculate your per door profit that the following year your taxes will reset to what YOU paid for the property and will likely significantly increase your tax expense - which can take you from a positive cash flow to a negative cash flow on a low cash flow property… now you are paying your tenants to live in the property every month out of your W2 income  hoping for an appreciation play until rents hopefully increase.I could go on and on.  

There is not a lot of data for MTR comps so I look on FF to see how many MTRs are in my area and what the rate is, and I play around with AirBnb to see what  a monthly stay would cost.