I resonated with this because as a Canadian, this is exactly what I did in Phoenix!

between cape coral and lehigh Acres there are literally close to a million of them and they have been swapped traded lost for tax's  prices run up prices crashed for the last 50 years.looks like it could be sustainable this time around.. 

Without them, I could not sustain the costs and maintenance of the properties on my own. 

They only way anything good can happen is by sustained positive action based on the powerful belief that something will eventually happen.What is with the moronic assertion that anyone with a vacant property is a 'professional investor' and needs to 'run it like a business or its their fault' - is this serious?

Population change.For rents to outpace inflation. the rate of population growth must be significant and sustained.

Now it's a cliche but it resonates with every investor.

There are likely more questions I have and more clarity I can provide if you have questions for me, so I wanted to make my first post something thorough that would hopefully gather some experienced eyes and maybe even resonate with others who are in my shoes in the same or other markets.

Not only is our market strong certain price points do have a steady solid appreciation. 8-10% yearly appreciation cannot sustain.

But, in my mind, I'll want to accumulate enough properties in 4-5 years to be able to make the business self-sustaining.  

@David Sharp, I'm in the process of closing my first duplex in 76541 Zip in Killeen - each unit 2/1 -  current rent at $450 market can sustain $550 so it will be going up once contract expires for current tentans.