Many retirees moving to warm belt states that are baby boomers and need some care but not a lot.

@Karen Margrave Wow that is great tenure you have under your belt in real estate construction and development.

I currently don't have a business name, but I'm hoping to have a few more deals under my belt before I force it. 

I have been eternally grateful that at that moment in time, I did not have my tool belt on with my 28 ounce framing hammer in it.

But yes, overall, they do seem to be tightening the belt a little!

One property under my belt. 

I would say pick 5-10 cities and start researching about employment, neighborhoods and rents etc. you can focus on mid-west or sun belt cities to get started.

The $500K exemption might not be enough for a lot of people...this is why this is all so regional  many parts of the rust belt the values peaked 20 to 30 years ago and have been eroding ever since.. so get that they don't have the same upside all the west coast folks have .. nicely bought west coast properties especially if you built them yourselves will be plenty of money you don't need rentals.. you get tax free money when you sell then keep rolling it.. that's what many builders do .. and I know I have done it 6 times since I bought my first home in Silicon valley in the late 70s.. and I am just one of millions of other west coast owners who have done the same.. and of course those that bought rentals on the west coast plus their homes have serious equity.. those in the mid west or rust belt the only value proposition basically is cash flow and number of doors since they really don't get or have gotten meaningful appreciation..  

Amazon already research for us, they selected top 20 cities...We can filter this list further...Few of them are expensive area like LA, Toronto, DC, NY, Boston, Norther Virginia, Newark.Recent trends of migration to Sun belt filter out few more cities like Chicago, Columbus, Philly, PittsburghRemaining choice...DenverDallasAustinAtlantaNashvilleRaleighMiami

This person got arrested at one point for not wearing a seat belt.