It is just a matter of what kind of environment you want to invest in.

In this inverted yield environment we are paid well to be patient and strategic. 

Economic environment is still hard for many people with rising costs and mostly-flat wages.

By Southern Illinois I mean anything outside of greater Chicago and environs.

This seems to be a reasonable approach but what happens if the macro fiscal environment further deteriorates leading to declines in home prices? 

Guests still want to travel despite the economic environment and can enjoy their family in with this economical vacation.   

Investor-Friendly Regulations: Branson has generally maintained a positive environment for STR investors, with regulations that allow for the operation of vacation rentals in zoned areas.

This will allow me to switch to a pm down the road when I want to sip drinks on the beach :-)

for that to happen, 1 of the following must occur:1) he finds an extrememly undervalued property initially (not sure that happens in this environment where it seems like there are tons of "investors" searching for properties and the city we live in seems to be in a "boom")2) he gets the contractors to do work for below-market price.

However, I feel the cheaper areas in Redlands could lend to a safer environment and potentially more stable tenants?