I would be able to live off the monthly rents.I know there are risks, and there is work involved, but all in all, the risks seem less and the dividends greater than securities investing (even with REITs), the work (and risks) seem less than starting other kinds of businesses, and the returns are definitely greater than with a guaranteed interest product like a treasury bond or CD.Also, in my experience, every landlord I know who owned houses and rented out rooms, continued to make money throughout the recession.

If it's a recession and someone lost their job and can't pay the mortgage and it's underwater, that makes it hard to offload.

Do you remember the recession of 2008?

If there was a recession I don't think prices would be hurt too much in Bakersfield.

The family filed a Recession Deed the next day.

I've been an avid stock/dividend investor since the great recession and I bought my primary home in 2009. 

It is getting a little interesting now though it seems to be slowing somewhat and Houston is very heavily dependent on oil & gas and the medical field so with gas prices dropping some folks (not me) are a little nervous prices will recess a little bit.

It looks like right now Alaska market isn't going anywhere.  1 realtor said we are in a recession and another said it just flat, houses are on the market longer then before but still selling.  

Do not anticipate homes to appreciate much more we are almost at the peak with increasing chance for a recession in about 18 months per Wall Street. 

I feel that my luck has run out a bit from the good old days of buying REOs in the Great Recession that any dumbie could have done.