@Bill F.OK, so we buy some clover plants and plant them around something mildly radioactive to stimulate the four-leaf mutation.

My high school economics teach was retired Air Force Lt.

This being a rental, should I go with the bitumen or be more economical with shingles?

The economy at the low end of the economic spectrum does not change that much with economic cycles. 

Not to worry about...but so you ensure it does not impact you but also so u can take advantage of it. different strategies work in different parts of the economic cycle.

While the macro-economic cycle is variable (ups-downs), there is way less chance of a "crash" in REI market. 

In my opinion, Indianapolis has a much better combination of cash flow and economic/demographic trends, I would also put Kansas City on my radar.

Indianapolis is a strong cash flow market and has much better long term economic and demographic trends that Detroit in my opinion.

Between the housing shortage and the current economic fears, how that goes will be anyone's guess.Deals pop up - some are good, some are not.

That building class will tend to be a little more resilient to economic downturn since people still need a place to live and you've got people "above" who can filter down to a more modest tier when they can't afford their class A condo anymore.