., you need to understand IRR, how it works and why the one shot CoCR is just not correct.When you really understand these calculations.... the all kinds of scenarios can be modeled.When you understand all kinds of scenarios, you can begin to predict the future with accuracy as you use your God Given Intellect.

Average house values have decreased by 2.3% over the last year, but by the end of 2024, the market is predicted to expand by 4.5%, indicating a strong recovery and bright future.As of December 2023, Jacksonville has a median listing price of $308.9K, and a median selling price of $298.5K for residences.

RELIABLY predictable success.Think about it.

I am also very new to all of this and having a hard time making an educated prediction on the market in the next 3-5 years. 

You are asking some great questions and the best answer I know to give you is that rental income & expenses can be more predictable in a condo and attract a greater pool of guests. 

Even if you could discriminate and direct single mothers into the housing you would buy I predict in short order you would be evicting them, foreclosing upon them, or going bankrupt yourself. 

Also, I'm in the same boat, I don't want to retire, if it was up to me, I'd like to start a company working on some big data analysis on housing markets and doing some predictive analysis, projecting how a REI deal can look in the future etc.

It's all such a  predictable game.

Any debt instrument such as a mortgage must be non-recourse, meaning no personal guarantee from you.There are a handful of banks that do this kind of lending.  

Could I have predicted that?