The market seems to be downtrending in some areas or even holding steady.

Flips are a great way to generate quick capital. butultimately, IMHO; Buy and Hold is the slow and steady way to financial freedom.

Was wondering what's the best brand for thermostats / can be locked at a temperature to install in my properties?

UTSW and all the other medical employers likely to grow around that area....We don't hear much about it, but I would expect many of the biomedical research centers will gradually move to lower cost and lower wage environments like Dallas and will/would locate to that general vicinity over the next 10 years, just like tech and banking has....For the most part real estate is a get wealthy slowly game....not a get rich quickly game......hold for the long term...slow and steady...to build wealth.   

Moreover, it's important to do quality work when it comes to renovations – this will ensure that the tenant stays longer, which in turn will help you maintain steady income from the property.

The residents of this house have been here for 3 years, 8 years, 12 years and 25 years...so steady-long-term renters.My plan, based on recent feedback at a local REI meetup, is to switch everyone to month-to-month for a few years and raise the rent every 6 months giving them an opportunity to either stay on, or find another place. 

For instance, steady growth in tech oriented jobs bring higher wage positions, while manufacturing growth may be an expansion of more moderate income growth.

The separation Should help the soundproofing significantly by removing the last area for sound waves to travel through, it will also help the fire rating as there will be no easy path to travel between the units, and finally I imagine it will Make the basement suite a better place for someone to call their home.My thought on doing all of this beyond code is first of all that I think I will be able to attract a higher quality of tenant who will be likely to stay longer and be more steady.

@Justin Howe Your story shows that slow and steady actually does win the race.

With no income once the savings are pi**ed away they have no way to pay rent.If they can not prove steady income meeting requirements they do not qualify.