I haven't seen any decrease in prices. . .

However, both of our incomes are increasing and our cost of living has significantly decreased recently due to other fortunate circumstances.

.- I have already added an item to the “tenant contract” that uses their deposit to cover 2 weeks of the room being empty should this occur.There has to be a better way to do this that decreases my risk.

But, just for the sake of conversation, one of the things that I like to stress to people that don't necessarily know as much is that, during an equity event, your total dollar return amount may decrease, but your CoC goes up!"

Have rental rates been decreasing to keep occupancy high?

Here's a couple blogs on why I like apartments and 28 ideas to add revenue and decrease expenses to improve the NOI of an apartment.  

In his building in Mayaguez he has 2 vacancies for the first time in over 8 years and he has been steadily decreasing rent prices for the past 3 years in order to keep the other units occupied. 

We’re the reductions you saw due to the decrease in home value?

Then as rents decrease you'll see some advantage of smaller operators who will adapt quickly and bring rate in check.

My crystal ball agrees with the 2 to 3 year window of appreciation but at a decreasing rate.