Anyone know an expert or someone who has dealt with this situation before? 

I'd say right now it's more about appreciation potential based on many economic, infrastructure, location and price point factors. 

They said the price increase was standard for economic situations. 

That vision of building a legacy through long-term rentals is exactly what drives a lot of successful investors, and you're already thinking like one.To answer your question about becoming an expert in a market, here’s a roadmap:1.

I understand the value of someone who is an expert in their field and know that someone that does this for a living could do it much better than myself.I would really like someone who focuses on FIRE and real estate investing since that is the goal we are working toward.

I follow several REI coaches/experts and many of them say they bought at least one LTR every year.  

Turns out investor clients are much more sensitive to economic news and outlooks than residential clients are.It makes me laugh thinking about new investors who think the market is too hot and they wish they could invest in 2008 when properties were cheap.

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Expert storytelling in the property description that follows the order of the photos2.

Here’s why:They’re Market-Dependent: Cap rates reflect current market sentiment, which can shift rapidly due to interest rates, economic conditions, or investor demand.