Even in the rare case where the subject matter did lead to a profitable job (business), it’s not sustainable in an increasingly fast changing, niche dominated, location dependent, law changing, environment.  

@Sergio P RamosYes but in todays environment chances of them budging are very low12-15 and 1-5 points is the current range where I would expect the rates to be

@Louis Leone Down south, in addition to a very pro-landlord environment, you also have time to do real due diligence on properties, unlike with commercial properties in Manhattan, where you get to see some pro forma financials and must close in 30 days.

In the current environment, most contractors are busier than they can handle, and are either going with retail projects like kitchen renovations, or to the people they have worked with for years.

That said, I'd much prefer a significantly higher rate environment as a buyer if it would compress valuations as opposed to the BS low rate valuations we have now.

I understand that the macro economic environment is a little shaky but people are definitely making things work. 

In this high interest environment.

and that you had the ability to do it in this lending environment with margin You should have hit "go". 

If they're not, then when things go wrong it can create a toxic environment.

Some of my properties have made me a reliable 15-17% annual return since I bought them, and part of that was just buying in a low price, high appreciation potential environment years ago.