VERY high demand and VERY low supply.  

It proved to be very resilient during C19 and things stayed steady or improved for rents, occupancy, and demand for SFRs/STRs.Lubbock is a great place to invest outside of the major metroplexes as it is "on an island" and supports the medical, economic, legal, education, and social center of an enormous geographic area covering parts of NM as well.

I have a very good, and steady job.

Plus...escape velocity...Episode 113 – Jay Papasan - Very practical slow and steady adviceEpisode 221 - Tim Shiner - his concept of equity build up and "shearing the sheep" shows some of the flexibility of real estate vs a 401k Last but not least, I also recommend all the tax advice given by my fellow CPAs on the BP Podcast.

Back in the day of having a JOB I spent a lot of time on the road so our company librarian would supply me with any audible books I requested.

As for the tenant, if you are supplying window units temporarily, they have no leg to stand on.

Astute observation Anthony one only needs to look at rural CA OR WA logging and fishing towns.. to see areas that have been in steady decline for decades.. they have not dried up completely but not a lot going on and 20 to 40% unemployment..  

The contractor knows hes going to be paid because he can do a Mechanics lean on the property.I would only do this if I was directly paying the supplier and the supplies were delivered straight to the job site.  

I would take a close look at the market and see what the supply and rent characteristics look like for each type of build.

What advice or next steps should I take in order to grow my real estate portfolio and where I can have a steady income from my rentals?