Plus shopping around only exists for those who have the luxury of doing so like borrowers with easy loan scenarios, little to no derogatory credit items, high fico scores, low to debt to income ratios, less than 4 financed properties, and consistent residency/employment records.I originate loans.

The only units that turned any kind of a profit were the $200k super luxury ones, and those didn't make enough to justify the money out of pocket.  

The time on the market is also a demographic question, a luxury home will usually take longer than a lower priced home, obviously, you're catering to a smaller target market. 

I have the luxury of being local but I think I could move away and nothing would change.  

Real estate became an option for me since I started fanning the flames of a dream to own a lodge in Colorado to host men's leadership retreats.

I make a decent living at my W2 JOB ( which I still do enjoy, for now, 😄) and allows me the luxury of spending time and money to build my REI business.  

They last forever, get great gas mileage, and the newer ones are indistinguishable from luxury vehicles as far as the driving experience goes.

Living pay check to pay check without savings is self imposed and by your own choice as indicated by your reluctance to do all that is necessary to improve your life aside from reading about a pipe dream of investing in real estate.Fix what is broken in your life, adjust your attitude and maybe some day you will have the luxury of being able to invest.

I wanted my first one to be a student rental but many colleges have put up "luxury dorms" and do everything they can to fill them up.

I would avoid anything higher end, higher tech (more to break) or front load unless I was in a very high end/luxury rental market (where a plain white durable top load would look out of place) or if I thought I might sell soon and then the aesthetics of a new matching appliances (front loads can look snazzy paired) might appeal to buyers.