Scaling is great, but scaling efficiently and intentionally is what keeps it sustainable.

Most likely, it’s a mix.What this means for housing and rentalsWhen job growth is slow but positive and unemployment remains relatively low, housing demand doesn’t disappear—it fragments.In environments like this, we tend to see:more roommates and delayed household formationstronger demand for affordable rentals and entry-level housingfewer impulsive buyers, but more intentional onesdemand shifting toward manufacturing, logistics, infrastructure, healthcare, and industrial-adjacent employment rather than pure office rolesThat context explains many of the business and investment moves we’ve seen across the region.Corporate and industrial shifts shaping demandBrown-FormanBrown-Forman announced restructuring, closed its Louisville cooperage, and sold the 16-acre MacLean Avenue site after decades of barrel production.

There were no bad intentions here.

Payment plans can be effective in limited situations but only when paired with strong screening, consistent enforcement and a clear distinction between tenants who can be stabilized and those who will not perform.At acquisition, I would focus on 1) An immediate audit of the rent roll and delinquency aging 2) Clear pay-or-quit notices with defined timelines 3) Short-term payment plans only for tenants who demonstrate both ability and intent to cure 4) Tightened collections, improved leasing standards and a visible onsite management presenceResolving bad debt is typically a 90–180 day operational reset.

But, could the property benefit from a few intentional design, styling, and landscaping updates that better support the "Romantic Cabin" positioning, really highlight the features, and justify a higher nightly rate?

We’re currently building a small cluster of new-construction duplex units in Little Rock, and we made a deliberate decision to go smaller than our recent builds.Each unit is:2 bed / 1 bathSingle storyApproximately 650–695 sq ftBrand new constructionHere’s the part that surprised me:We underwrote these units at roughly the same rent as larger, older, more worn-down rentals on the same street.That creates a pretty simple choice for tenants:Bigger but dated and inefficientSmaller but brand new, clean, and efficientSo far, demand has strongly favored the new construction.We also intentionally skipped features like fenced yards and other upgrades.

Being more intentional with your rehabs is important.

Seeing inventory change daily definitely impacts what pencils, especially when you can control both acquisition and construction costs.Sounds like you’re being very intentional about timing with off-loading over the next year and selectively acquiring when it makes sense, including looking at larger assets.

Owner involvement increases the risk of discrimination, intentional or not, leading to potential fair housing violations and costly lawsuits.

I don't say any of this with the intent to criticize.