I am not Self promoting by Gelt Financial has been steady since 1989, and busy during Covid and still lending.

I knew that our demand weakened when temperatures reached 100 degrees and people sought cooler climates.Since rates are lowest during our low season, the fear of not being able to make the monthly nut was a concern.

If your return stayed steady for 5 years, at say 20% every year, your return is 20% (not 100%).

I was able to overcome this issues after many years of pushing through to the point where I have been able to get steady tenants and maintain the property making on time payment for the past 3 years.

Now the known appreciating markets came back with a roar.. and cash flow is like you state  flow and steady eddy.

I get a steady stream of investment opportunities just from being on the mailing list.

Slow and steady win the race.  

I think Columbus is a great place for your first house hack for a few reasons - Its a landlord friendly state, steady housing application, and compared to other cities its affordable(housing prices are rising quickly though right now). 

Lenders want to see a good and steady income for the past 2 years, and I've been a business owner the entire time and by having a good accountant I barely showed any income for the past 2 years.

Each year we are graduating MILLIONS of kids who will NEVER be able to qualify for a mortgage under conventional terms (solid credit, steady employment, 20% down).