In my journey since 1999 we have come across a few options:- A slow painful way, you do not reach your goal fast enough. 

My fear is if you don't, it will be a very slow process to your goal since you'll be doing this one deal at a time, and spending your seed money instead of using it.

I was able to secure 4 months due diligence for this property - to purchase 2.9 acres of land.There were no Industrial Condo bays for sale under 1,500 sq.ft in CalgaryWe hit a market demand and sold out before we closed on the landSecured our Profit in 5 months.Risk - mitigated with experienced GC and Architect.Fixed price contractTurn around (including slow DP / DSSP/ BP) process with city under 16 months.

As Aesop's fable about the tortoise and the hare taught millennia ago, "Slow and steady wins the race." 

I'm wondering if any of you in the Middle Tennessee area who have done any buying or selling in the past few months have seen any actual signs of the market slowing down here?

Long term our hope would be to pay off the rental and every 5 years add one, slowing increasing passive income.

They are a little on the slow side - 5 business days no matter what, and since we do ACH in 1-2 days at my office I know they could do it faster - but I realize they make money on the drag so it's probably the only way the service can remain free so I don't complain. 

If you're borrowing hard money vs construction financing with draw downs, or cash.... they all impact you differently and will greatly affect your decision.

Unless you have a lot of money to work with (or access to people with a lot of money to work with) chances are that it'll be a slow and steady process that will compound overtime.

But the growing is slow.