Check American Homes 4 Rent, how they engulfed thousands of properties and recently threw the towel cutting back 80%.

But I don’t believe it is possible for average Americans standard of living to continue.  

There is less disposable income in many American households from inflation. 

Everything points to those zip codes being "undesirable" areas even though, I would not call them "hoods" like you may see in bigger cities, more like low-income, majority African American areas, some of those lots have been on the MLS for over 5 years, so very low demand.One thing about Alabama is that, there are huge variations from city to city- Montgomery is not a desirable city,  Birmingham is going through some gentrification where you have homes in the 20-30K and 200-300K ranges in the same zip code.

The other thing to keep in mind is most lender will understand if you start with a 4 family, then go buy a 2 family, since the SF with white picket fence is the “American dream”.

Quote from @Sam Abraham:Personally real estate is one of my retirement vehicles.

@Sam ZawatskyWe've had bad luck with contractors who didn't do the job correctly, didn't show up, etc.

(American Assocaition Private Lenders).

Would you even live in this home again in the future (realizing Uncle Sam throws us some curveballs, but still). 

Quote from @Sam Abe: We just noticed saggy ceiling from water leak from upstairs bathroom.