I don't know if I am right or wrong - time will tell - but I shift from "cautious" to "ultra cautious" mode when I review potential deals. 

Its good education and shifts your mind set to a "can do" attitude, which is no. 1 requirement in this business. 

Issues to consider are whether it's just you or there are partners, if you plan on having different LLCs for different holds, if you want to incorporate strategies to shift from ordinary to capital gains when selling the holds, and much more.

But if you are rough with the install, you should use spacers or you may inadvertently shift the whole floor too close to the wall.

I'm currently a night shift foreman at a machine shop and absolutely hate my job!

That was more important the number of deals, because a long track record told them that the investor was likely a skilled operator who could grow and protect the value of the asset even if the market shifted over time. 

Does this mean that the shift away from home ownership is permanent or just another reason it's delayed?

I solved that by having a contractor who I trust--and that just happened by accident, but it sounds like you may have one too.A little mental game I play with myself to put risks in perspective, is I ask how many shifts I would have to pick up to cover a worst case loss. 

I have invested in Austin in the past, but have shifted more toward San Antonio. 

Old houses have cast iron pipers that will disintegrate (because of age and/or foundation shift).