I've made plenty of mistakes so take my advice more of a learning opportunity rather than a "this is how you do it".Appreciation:My first investment was right after the 2008 crash. 

Milwaukee has not been shooting up and then crashing down (like Boise), it has been very linear and only single digit appreciation over the last years.

For example, during the 2008 financial crash, our clients had zero decreases in rent and zero vacancies because of the segment we target.Inflation-CompensatingEvery time you go to the store, it takes more and more dollars to buy the same set of goods.

I don't anticipate a hard crash like 2008 but I do expect values to drop 20% or more from the peak in 2022 and we're not there yet.

.$429,900 purchase price 6.5% interest rate (assuming FHA loan)3.5% down payment = $15,047 2% estimated closing costs = $8,598appraisal = $1,000inspections =$900OUT OF POCKET = $25,545Estimate monthly payments: $3,237 (includes: Principal and interest $2,622, Property taxes, $342 Homeowners' insurance, $82 Mortgage insurance)After renting out a two for $700 each your portion would be $1,837.If you were willing to sleep in your the bonus room rent out all three bedrooms, your portion would be $1,137.If you crash in your living room, you can further reduce that to $437.Do this help you with your decision?

Now, of course, securities can and will lose value at the same time real estate markets crash (see 2008-2009) so having some cash reserves is another hedge.

I also want to wait and see if the market crashes.

I want to hear your thoughts on crash strategies BP!

That is one of the key behaviors that led to the housing crash ten years ago.

He had more before the crash.