I've read numerous posts about people being screwed over my contractors, whether it be not finishing on time or going over budget.

Regardless of the market, there will always be opportunities - they might be squeezed or you might have to alter your strategy - but there will always be people making money leveraging numerous different strategies in real estate.  

I think that area is a little rougher (not “war zone” bad though), so make sure you have a strong PM. 

In 1940 a 23-year-old had seen untold horrors of war yet somehow they managed to make it through life without support animals.

The wife and I currently have numerous rental properties that we may consider selling at some point to raise capital to buy the other half of the RV park.

Ultimately my end goal is to own numerous properties and gain financial independence through the cash flow.

They're a lot more numerous and you might find more attractive numbers too - especially if you stay south of Boston.

Granted, if we get into a full-scale trade war with China, go to war with Mexico, leave the government closed for the next 6 months, then all bets are off.     

The place is in a war zone and I would end up with another property with tenants that are high maintenance.

The spouses who we ask to go to war with us for financial independence simply don't get enough credit.