I'd get higher cash flow from a duplex somewhere like NC or Wisconsin.....but the markets in lower income areas tend to be a little more volatile I think. 

It exists just probably very volatile so for all intensive purposes you are probably right.

This would give you some more protection from market volatility of having loans.

The increasing volatility of the stock market, combined with still historically low-interest rates, has many investors seeking alternative avenues to provide a decent rate of return.

Townhouses are likely to be a lot more price volatile if and when the real estate market ever softens up.   

The key features that make it more efficient that are hard to replicate else where is that the interest is simple interest similar to commercial loans (rate/365Xbalance daily), there’s a 20 day grace period before the prior period’s accrued interest is billed/added to your balance outstanding so you can keep chipping away at your daily principal balance with your deposits from days 1-19th each month before prior month’s interest is even billed (on the 20th/21st usually).The current CMT or constant maturity treasury index is less volatile than prime index that most heloc’s are based on (most bank commercial lines are based on 3-5 year FHLB + 225-275 BPS or 2.25-2.75% margin).

@Brad HalesMany investors find that real estate syndications and other forms of commercial real estate are a great way to secure their tax-sheltered savings in an asset with less volatility and consistent good returns.A self-directed IRA allows for the IRA to participate in such investments without tax penalty. 

Public markets are liquid and efficient, which means volatility is visible on a daily basis.

Annuities and life insurance can be a hedge against market volatility, but they should be part of your plan, not all of it. 

However an IUL will have much more volatility as some year you may get 0% and some other 15%.