On the surface it appears that the simple laws of supply and demand are in play - a growing work force is chasing relatively few properties which is forcing home prices up - nothing unusual there.

When I think of appreciation, I think of FORCED appreciation.  

Based on the prior two sentences, I would be cautious about retail priced investing, which is what there is unless you know how to extract a property from an owner w/o market forces at work... meaning buying from a seller who is not ready, willing, or able to sell.

Dealing with tenants who can complain about the most asinine things sometimes, having to repair XYZ...it's not worth it to me just to "hope" that maybe when I sell I will see a ROE.I rather force appreciation in a cash flowing area, that way I can have my cake and eat it too. 

If I was forced to not "invest" this money and do something "fun", I'd probably travel to see the northern lights, maybe alaska to go fishing, egypt, etc.

My question is:  If we keep both our names on the deed, will a lender force us to have both names on the refinance? 

It wasn't what I wanted to do but was forced to do it because they locked us in and lied to us.

At 18 you WILL be a BEAST, a force to be reckoned with... hope to see you on the other side Brother 

By that I mean, I gravitate towards simple and avoid complicated. 

Best thing I ever did.... even if I was in a sense forced into it.