Predicting the future is impossible.

What appears to be a quality tenant was obtained in the time frame promised and at the rent price predicted. 

I am also very new to all of this and having a hard time making an educated prediction on the market in the next 3-5 years. 

You are asking some great questions and the best answer I know to give you is that rental income & expenses can be more predictable in a condo and attract a greater pool of guests. 

Even if you could discriminate and direct single mothers into the housing you would buy I predict in short order you would be evicting them, foreclosing upon them, or going bankrupt yourself. 

I'm comparing several websites to market via SMS (text messages), and am wondering if anyone has any input (either positive of negative) on the effectiveness of this technology as it relates to RE.Originally I was using a list of cell phone numbers purchased from http://www.cell-phone-list.net in conjunction with a predictive dialer to reach potential customers for a RE related project I'm involved with.

Nobody can predict the future with certainty, but based on historical trends we are not at the low point in a real estate cycle.As the market has continued to improve, the deals and opportunities have gotten harder to find.

Chris's point is and its true first year is pretty predictable.. its subsequent years that no one has a crystal ball on.. 

Any future prediction you guys might be aware of?

I only ask because in general, a regular rental is going to be much easier and more 'predictable' venture from a real estate investing perspective.