Leads tend to be much stronger towards the end rather than beginning of cycle. 

While doing all the necessary reading (as suggested by BP) within BP and outside, I come across some negatives by way of doomsayers talking about the 7 year cycles of depression and how we will be impacted in the US come September / October. 

You might have less cash flow but generally if you buy in the right market cycle you have a lot of equity growth. 

This area will always cycle every 7-10 years and you can pick and choose your buy and sell depending on where you are in the market. 

Or are those companies in an investment cycle where they are simply undervalued?

That mixed with real estate cycles , which very folks even discuss or understand.

I guess that's more proof people are being priced further and further out of Boston where I live.Regarding your question as I read it, you NEVER want to own rental real estate in your own name (I use LLCs which are expensive but I value my sleep).I am also not a fan of portfolio loans for legal and market cycle reasons.  

The longer the better, and a 20 or 25 year lease is what you should target, with market rental increases, because this will line up with financing for two loan cycles.

I suspect the dryer stopped working because she overloaded it with soaking wet clothes that had not been through the spin cycle.

Thanks Jay.Seems like a boom building cycle for the houses now.