"The last decade" ignores the down part of a cycle which simply hasn't happened yet.Real estate doe not have to go up faster than inflation for your returns to go up faster than inflations due to leverage.

Red states, on the other hand, are typically more landlord- and investor-friendly, with fewer restrictions and less regulatory red tape.That said, local city ordinances often carry more weight than state politics, so it's important to research each market individually.

But here’s what I see a lot of people never really factor in until they’re already in deep:     The mental load of being the “everything person.”You’re the emergency contact when the HVAC dies at midnight.You’re the diplomat when a guest trashes your short-term rental.You’re the problem solver when your contractor ghosts mid-flip.You’re the one watching market news every night, second guessing every move.I’ve seen people with great numbers on paper who burn out because they didn’t factor in the weight of always being “on call.”Some people push through it.

Specifically:- Estimating cash flow- Evaluating long-term appreciation potential- Understanding neighborhood demographics- Estimating renovation costsI’m working on a tool where:- You paste a Zillow link.The system uses AI to:- Analyze cash flow potential via Rentometer rents- Predict appreciation based on historical trends- Break down local demographic dataGoal: Automate the time-consuming parts of deal analysis and help investors screen properties faster. 

Time on Market (Days on Market - DOM)Staged Homes Sell Faster:According to the Real Estate Staging Association (RESA), staged homes spend 73% less time on the market compared to non-staged homes.thezebra.comblog.remax.caRESA data from a study of 1,080 homes showed that unstaged homes averaged 184 days on the market, while homes staged after listing sold in 41 days, and homes staged before listing sold in 23 days, a 90% reduction in DOM for pre-staged homes.robinrealtygroup.comNAR reports staged homes spend 33% to 50% less time on the market than non-staged homes.forbes.comA 2021 survey by First Impression Home Staging indicated staged homes sell 88% faster, with 90% of staged homes selling within 2 weeks.firstimpressionhomestaging.comNAR’s 2023 Profile of Home Staging noted that 27% of sellers’ agents reported staged homes spent less time on the market.bankrate.comNon-Staged Homes:Non-staged homes, particularly vacant ones, can linger significantly longer, with RESA reporting an average of 184 days for unstaged homes before staging.robinrealtygroup.comNon-staged homes may face prolonged listing periods due to buyers’ difficulty visualizing the space, leading to extended decision-making.kmmrealty.com2.

I've grown a 70+ door portfolio BRRRR'ing in just 3 years. the creative hybrid method is what I think can be done at scale. buy one BRRRR with the Heloc and every year move to a new small multi family BRRRR with low money out of pocket. as your capital grows you can grow faster and faster

I will then claim the income (minimal write offs) this year to increase my income to atleast cover the increased debts and purchase another two properties in 2026 (will be reassessing at the end of the year to make sure it still makes the most sense) I am now interested in learning more about seller financing, private equity, and hard money loans so I can scale at a faster rate.

In analyzing my market, it seems as if houses that hold open houses sell within a week compared to others that otherwise take a month 
 
is this a trend that happens in every market?

Instead, you can unlock 100% bonus depreciation on assets with a useful life under 20 years.This includes:•Furniture & appliances•Flooring•Window coverings•Landscaping & outdoor lighting•Fencing, driveways, and patiosThese can often make up 20–35% of the purchase price — all potentially depreciated in Year 1 with a cost segregation study.Cost Segregation Friendly Features = Faster Write-OffsCertain property features allow you to break down the building into faster-depreciating components:Look for:•High-end finishes (luxury fixtures, lighting, smart tech)•Pools, patios, outdoor kitchens•Detached garages, ADUs•Upgraded appliances and built-insThe more non-structural components a property has, the more value a cost segregation study can carve out into 5-, 7-, and 15-year buckets.Newer or Recently Renovated Homes = Richer DepreciationNew builds or heavily renovated homes often pack in:•New HVAC systems•High-efficiency appliances•Premium flooring, tile, and cabinetryNot only are these attractive to guests — they’re also gold for depreciation, since they’re assigned shorter useful lives and can be depreciated more quickly.Higher Purchase Price = Bigger DeductionsIt sounds obvious, but worth repeating: the more expensive the property, the more there is to depreciate.A $1M STR might yield $200K–$300K+ in bonus depreciation in Year 1.

Still, the rental income potential can carry significant weight in a valuation.2.