I hear time and time again from podcasts & advice online that this shouldn't be an excuse to pass on getting started (nobody can predict the future).

If you calculate the returns off of this larger capital stack you’ll find the returns look a lot different than you predicted above. 

The airdna predictions in this market are off by a solid 10-20pct.

Be wary of embellished predictions.  

Full Article Here: Stockton Job Growth ProjectedA new economic forecast predicts the Stockton area will see some of Northern California's biggest job growth this year.Jeff Michael heads the Center for Business and Policy Research at the University of the Pacific.

I'm looking to do research on the previous market history just to get an idea of the cyclic patterns that occur so I can better predict and plan for the future.

If the equity upside is not predictable and it's an important component of the IRR/profit, don't buy (i.e. it does not meet your profit criteria).I vote patience and persistence...and have empathy and experience that it's not easy to do. 

People could predict a crash for decades before it happens.

Simply rinse and repeat and take on the predictable income. 

Huge job growth with extremely stable economy (government and university largest employers) with medical sector about to explode here and of course tech is booming as well.  11th largest city in the nation and predicted to double in size within 20 years.