It was easy to buy a cashflowing rental because rents weren't really affected by the falling real estate market.Now, investors must spend a lot more time looking for "deals" and make a lot of low-ball offers to buy at prices that result in cashflow.Reminds us of the market BEFORE 2008 market crash.

Up, down, flat, up, flat, down, down, repeat…And to quote Economist Mark Zandi for the third time today, “[The Fed’s] got everything they need to start cutting rates…It’s just a question of precisely when.”The housing market is improving, the supply of homes on the market is up double digits this month, and in my business I am seeing a healthy spring flow of demand for both homebuyers and investors.

And is there any way I can start getting the ball rolling other than house hacking ? 

We all know we can keep thinking about what we want to do but putting it into action is an entire other ball game.What are your top 3 actionable items for a complete beginner who feels lost in the sense of being in a small town and no really local groups where one can shadow or work with?

- upping your max # of guests somehow- "no cleaning fee" & upping the nightly rate accordingly CAN be a big driver of bookings in some markets- having your listing/pics done professionally (by someone who specializes in STRs)- a great outdoor area- if you wanna spend $, i'm seeing lots of people adding pickle ball courts & more stuff to do outside like that - having a car there that they can rent on turo for cheaper than the rental cars from the airport

Nobody has a crystal ball to predict the future but, generally, rates will likely go down, property will appreciate and rent's will increase.Getting experience as a landlord is valuable too...

I don't like to tell people to plan on a refinance because I don't have a crystal ball, but you have 2 possible outcomes.

They are incredible deals and would give me the momentum to get the ball rolling in my real estate investing. 

None of us have that crystal ball unfortunately, but interest rates alone aren't the only way to determine the future of the real estate market. 

@Sara Ball, I did that and I can show you the steps!