People also talk about the broader market slowing down, but I like the idea of taking action now and using the experience to scale up if a buyer's market emerges.Thanks,Nick

Pros: Easy to find tenantsPros:  Normally can purchase property at a good discount because of the neighborhoodCons:  Nightmare tenants who will tear your property up and literally destroy it.Cons:  Slow slow monthly payments.Cons:  Hard to sell property , who wants to buy a property in a crime area.Cons:  Dealing with the governmentCons:  Very Hard inspection requirementsCons:  Maintenance of property requirements

I was hoping that through a large increase in volume that I would be able to deal with the inflated cost of money, but it is really starting to weigh heavy on me especially when we might have a slow month or when a property is marginal.   

Craigslist is very slow to react.12.

Have a very thorough contract with draw schedules and don't cut any checks without proof of work being done, before and after photos work great

@Janet Torres I dont waste my time on agents who are slow to respond to my needs.

With real estate, it's okay to start slow, and go for the safe bet.

Year 30 your "real estate" account is worth $1,79mm, and your retirement account is $1.74mm (before paying taxes to withdraw the capital, so call it $1mm or so if you back out ~ 40% taxes - I live in California . . . ). 

Or would I be better off taking a deep breath, slowing down, and using the money I know I can readily get my hands on to just complete the full purchase of a less expensive single family condo to add to my portfolio, expecting it to do little more than be one more thing in my portfolio, paying for itself slowly (though not giving me the same kind of appreciation I enjoyed in the past)?

Things may be slowing down this ear, but again, maybe not.