If that were the case, you'd see a significant change in economic cycles between 1950 and today, as the driving force of our economy has gone from durable good manufacturing to a service economy. 

My question with almost all these STR’s is how will things cash flow during an economic downturn?

That's why I wouldn't want to build from the ground up, especially not now in the economic cycle - too much risk, too much time. 

Good properties sell in any economic situation.

I have a goal to become an investor and build up cash flow and ultimately let the money work for me so i can actually get out of the economic slavery that so many think that they are stuck in. 

@Angela Dani I prefer the term Venture development; "describing economic development activity that is focused on using best-practices and activities of experienced business mentoring in order to help create venture and angel-capital-ready firms which have the promise to create significant economic wealth"From my experience it is best to hold/BRRRR in these areas as they rapidly grow in value and comps aren't solid when determining a flip value. my biggest lessoned I learned was not getting started sooner!

@Jerel Davis During Harvey the rule that we have used that one time flood 40% off Retail and two times flood ONLY land value (assuming that is an economic driver for people to go back aka flooded houses in Katy vs bear creek) .

If you go solo, I'd recommend  talking to county Planning and the county Economic Development team(s) to find allies.

It includes some countryside, but the market here is just out of sync with the economics.

., why would you compare the property's ROI versus the S&P 500 over a short period of sustained economic growth?