. - the graph does seem to be the exact inverse of BiggerPockets growth over the past few years.

I still have questions and reservations about the tenant part but love the prospect of cash flow, and small growth of equity over time as well as tax sheltering.Here's where I am today:I am married and we had our first child in July.

Neighborhood improvment programs as grants and loans will be cut.First time buyer money from CDBG funds can go down.All agencies will be letting people go without pay, long term, more foreclosures and unpaid rents.Fed funds that go to cities will dry up, cities tighten the belt, may take longer to get approvals, inspections, fewer cops to support neighborhood property crimes issues, county offices may get backloads, permits and filings slow, makes searches more difficult, slows closings.GDP will drop a half point, slows the economy, fewer jobs, fewer buyers and qualified renters, construction slows, inventory increases and prices fall or at least slows growth.

Sometimes you are in the country but then growth comes that way and you can tap in eventually.

Note that permits are more of a coincident indicator since construction activity typically doesn't turn up until the cycle is already into the recovery or growth phase.Good hunting-

Rent growth and appreciation go hand in hand.

I started out focused on that area because it's growth seems to be relatively high but I didn't think about where I was located at being a good starting point since its such a small community.

My goal is growth, but ultimately I am looking for passive income for retirement.I am a fast learner and drinking from a fire hose right now via books, blogs, and podcasts, but I also realize that networking is a must.  

I actually could have made a reasonable living doing this if I switched to full-time, however I wasn't truly in love with the concept and its overall growth potential.

My thoughts were along those lines as well, with the idea being to hold some solid, cash-flowing rentals.I'm curious to know if other people are utilizing alternative strategies during slow economic growth conditions.