While REITs can be great investments during a strong market, they are highly correlated to the stock market, tend to rise and fall with the economy, and their value can be impacted by events that have nothing to do with real estate.

It's safe to say those folks are probably sweating a bit right now.But the reality is, any time the stock market takes a dip, all retirees will get a little nervous.

Your point made me suddenly look at locations like stocks vs bonds.

Now that the stock market has reached a point of correction and teatering on the verge of a recession.

I also have a 3-5 year plan of buying at least 5-7 more duplexes, while still maintaining my current role. 

I’m not much of a stock market investor but for years I’ve been wanting to get in.

If you are not able to refi/HELOC and you do not have other investments like stocks, 401k or IRA to use, then you will have no other option than to find OPM (other people's money).

We don't provide yard maintenance but we do maintain the yearly termite contract. 

I saw that they keep going into pre-foreclosure so I was planning on starting at 50-55 to see where he was at and also getting him out of a property he is having trouble with maintaining. 

The property I am targeting appears to be basically well maintained though it does have some visible deferred maintenance, but nothing out of the range I have dealt with on everything else I have ever bought,   but it is long term ownership and I have good reason to believe (sneaky spying via google street view) the ownership is quite elderly at this point.