I think the trend will swing back from renting and group psychology about "rising real estate values" will kick in just as it did 10-15 years ago.Yes I think we should keep buying to get more pieces on the board (boats in the water to rise), but completely disregard any potential appreciation both in terms of our return calculations and psychologically (in other words, don't get caught up in the coming "real estate boom" psychology and buy marginal properties or cash flow negative properties expecting appreciation).That may mean doing fewer deals but it's a price I'm personally willing to pay.There are also some broader economic issues which could throw in some systemic risk and gum up the works, such as Russia-Ukraine, the Chinese economy, the European economy (and some of its weaker members like Greece), etc.So in my mind I think there are three possible scenarios: 1) 1/3 likely to have steady good growth in RE values (scenario of U.S. economy continuing to do reasonably well but little/tepid real wage growth), 2) 1/3 likely to have another boom (scenario of U.S. economy doing very well and finally having real wage growth for the first time in a long time), and 3) 1/3 likely to have the train get derailed by external factors such as the world economy, some kind of war, etc.In all of those scenarios it seems to me that good, cash flowing properties will be good to have.

I got that piece of advise from my dad and that saved me about $11,000 when my GC walked off with the drywallers money...Good luck!

@Bob Couture - great piece of advice.

Roof repairs, caused by fallen trees, Cable Dishes on homes, natural disasters from heavy winds, can puncture that theory to pieces.

@Jayagowri DeenadayalanI have never heard of owning more than one piece of real estate affecting your credit score in a negative way. 

Generally, anything that is permanently attached is considered real property and would be included.So, a building or tree = yes.A mobile home, vehicle, or piece of furniture = no. 

Shave a little off the top for your eggs and bacon?

One piece of advice I will give is and I see this more than you would expect Do NOT make any contact at least until AFTER the Funeral .

I have picked up the pieces of this scenario more than once.. bought 30 homes from one company that thought this model was good.. and they got in all sorts of trouble because the people they originally bought the houses from sub too were also defaulting and getting their credit trashed from being talked into this deal in the first place.Not a good model.. if these are NO money down rent to own buyers those people are terrible le credit risk over time.And no wonder your wife is freaking out  she is right.

You'll get alot further if you know what your goals are - and once you do, the other pieces fall into place.