The lack of existing inventory, coupled with a lagging pace of new construction, has really caused serious appreciation in some of the transitional neighborhoods, as @Marc Rice mentioned above.This has weakened cashflow a tad, as entry point in several areas has risen dramatically.

This needs to be there during the analysis phase, even if you plan on self managing because the numbers on a deal change dramatically over the ~$160/month management fee. 

Securing these leases can dramatically improve the value of your property for decades if done right!

Combine the lower-than-normal supply of homes because of the pandemic and the dramatically low interest rates, you have buyers feverishly competing for the limited supply of homes in the market which has driven prices up and made things even less affordable for the average buyer.I think the primary reason there is a nationwide shortage of housing is due to the fact many homebuilders went out of business because of the Great Recession and demand plummeted for housing, leading to less building.The homeownership rate fell from 67.1% at the start of the decade to a post-recession low of 62.9% during the second quarter of 2016.

While that was part of the problem, I realize that material costs and timelines increased dramatically due to Covid.

It's a 5-unit that we bought 6 months ago for $299,000, put $50,000 into it (new floors, countertops, painted cabinets, new hardware, painted exterior, bought coin-op laundry machines), increased the rents dramatically, added pets fees, and now we plan to pull all of our money back out so we can rinse and repeat.   

Yes, the rate shouldn’t be changed dramatically.

This actually typically means they are lower than mortgage rates in the immediate term, plus are interest only, so your monthly payment will be dramatically lower on the outstanding balance.  

On the investment side, I got the same impression, though, that house prices have already outrun rents and I do not see rents increasing by a sufficient amount to make up the difference barring a pretty dramatic fall in the house prices. 

I know it isn't realistic to most people to expect fully distanced but it would be nice to find something that's a bit more on the online side.How can I satisfy this 40 hour commitment without this new job dramatically interfering with my existing commitments?