For my part, saving over a 3-5 year period before my next RE purchase, a time frame which I consider meets a minimum time horizon for a 'long-term' investment, I invest monthly cash flows with a dollar cost averaging mentality into a mix of stock market index funds, growth stock mutual funds, and ETFs.

(People eventually will move to places that are more affordable for them)Interesting that is often how I describe my properties, my California properties as growth stocks, and my Ohio properties as utility stocks

For some it may not happen or take forever, whether it is continued growth, money pulled out, are staying the course with what you have.  

.- Some kind of local growth and stability engine (manufacturing or major industry would be a great example). 

My area is not growing rapidly, no large increase in valuations, no increase in costs to build/maintain and little job growth. 

Jeff-(I recommend an inexpensive moisture meter to determine where to stop when removing the affected Sheetrock, (you want to have a reading of no more than 17% on your meter otherwise remove it, it's cheap and so is insulation), and would surely recommend replacing the insulation that you find any growth or moisture on).BLEACH IS NOT A MOLD KILLER ON THESE SURFACES.

I time stamp it every quarter so I can see my Net Worth growth over time.5) Future expenses listed. 6) Goals listed. 7) Tax Bracket info. 8) Useful links (Bankrate.com mortgage calculator, BiggerPockets, etc.)9) My House Stats - including equity, interest paid to date, PMI paid to date, etc.I've created similar budgets for friends and family as well and help organize them for them. 

Growth typically doesn't occur without some discomfort.

I just heard from a mortgage broker there about the growth she sees in Hickory.

This would be much safer if it does not go as you expect and it would preserve your down payment cash for business operations & growth.