Especially since my qualities include:- single (no dual income)- unpredictable income (based on real estate closings and tips from serving)- 40K in student loan debt- lack of savings as I am just out of schoolI have recently started "paying myself first" and hold back money every week from tips.

However, these things are unpredictable.

In my opinion, sometimes we need to adjust our expectations for a bit to meet the needs of just breaking even and help others out...the market should shift again allowing you to make a profit soon.My years of experience have taught me that even though this is a scary unpredictable time, things will get better.  

And it may be some judges. the U.S. justice system is unpredictable.

Steve would have had the ability to settle down his roots here instead of being priced out of the NYC location.I know Investors tend to think of only in terms of Today and find it very unpredictable to think of tomorrow, but please remember that even Squirrels think about tomorrow as they put away their Nuts for the Winter.

I have bought in the east, which is a little more unpredictable, because it is closer to where I live- I have properties in Cleveland Heights and Garfield Heights.

I own 24 units in Kitsap county but have continued to look in Seattle, however have pulled back for the following reasons: 1) building age, almost everything you see on the market is 50+ years old and has significant deferred capex that owners decide they would rather push off to the next owner, 2) Seattle renter politics are too unpredictable - too great a chance of a rent control system being implemented, and 3) smaller unit size when compared to newer non city properties - while many apartment renters are essential workers, many are not and have been working at home since March, and consequently are looking for larger units (a trend I think will continue to some degree).  

I have enough cash for two years of expenses with no rents coming in, but that's because I'm a stupid, fearful saver who's happier having the liquidity than I would be getting an unpredictable return in today's market.

Not investing in RE whatsoever due to dread of a future unpredictable downturn, however,is definitely irrational.My take is: analyze analyze analyze, make sure the numbers make sense, protect the downside as much as possible, and get after it.

You can be a Wolf investor and go in, but for many, especially not local, that is risky and somewhat unpredictable.