I'll rent out the bigger space for higher rent since I'll move out in a year or two, and do the same thing again, but have a rental property with two units already under my belt.

That keeps us out of the rust belt scenario.Staying with marketable properties, out of the declining neighborhoods you can bank on appreciation in such markets.

No real estate deals under my belt, but I had been learning the market I was going to invest in for half a year.

Sun belt is the way to go IMHO.

Strategies that have absolutes are often blind to their ever changing environment, like the rust belt states that never changed their main economical source of income from manufacturing.If an area is declining I would want to sell and get into an area that is increasing.

I and many of my farm boy friends all carried Buck knives (or some other brand) on our belts in school.

Good morning,My name is Brian Davis, I'm an investor with 15 rental properties and a range of other renovation and flip deals under my belt. 

@Robin Hines @Rachel Bier Now that it's been over half a year with USREEB under your belts.

On paper it looks bad, but I know better and you should trust me even though you don't know me, we've never done a deal, I have not been active over the years, I only have 5 properties under my belt, and I claim that I have tons of options but don't want to use them.

When I feel I’ve got some experience and wisdom under my belt I’ll contribute back to the community.