Almost every asset class has some level of unpredictability or volatility this includes the housing market. My analogy roots from the stock market and goes like this; Some of the wealthiest investors don't pay attention to what the market is doing they do something called dollar-cost averaging where no matter what they buy a certain amount of stock, bond, ETF.
The concept also applies to REI but on a much larger scale. If you find a deal that cash-flows or has huge upside potential then buy away.
Joe, there’s and old saying that I heard some wealthy long term hold investors say many years ago. “ Don’t wait to buy real estate, buy real estate...then wait “. My experience over the last 40 years has proven them right.