How do you ride through a recession if you have no control over when the asset is sold?  

Not surprising to see the north and west side of Houston expanding rather quickly, however, just east of downtown can be a profitable investment venture if you have the capital to buy large areas.  

I am 24 years old in search of a better future with more control.

I recommend establishing the area you want to be in based on solid key indicators, then finding the best real estate broker, real estate investors association, and lender to partner with for your next venture.  

Good luck with all your future REI ventures.

You, as the buyer, have all the control here.

Meanwhile, you will pay a very high price eroding whatever profit you expected or worse...going into negative losses as ongoing delays caused by Sherman Bridge Lending force you to pay spiked interest rates for an extended period of time leaving you at their mercy as they control your refi by threatening high fees as a penalty for seeking refi elsewhere.

However, is an extra 4% gain per year, on 150K (6K per year) really worth the loss of control?

I'm a full time county employee, but want to venture out into real estate.  

A key difference between gambling and investing is control.