Advice on spending $85k-$135k to generate cashflow

[Andrew Kasprzycki]

I have enjoyed the BP forums and resources these past few months though this is my first time seeking advice. I bought my first MFR deal within the last month here in Chicago. All going very well. Learning a ton and enjoying it. My initial deal, a 3-flat, cashflows about $800-$900/month. I am self-managing for now and am somewhat handy which comes in, well, handy. I have a full time, executive level job and am in my mid-40s. REI is my early retirement plan. My main objective is to generate $15k of reliable, monthly cashflow in the next 5-6 years with a buy and hold investment strategy. I will have access to another round of capital from my W2 job in October ranging from $85k-$135k. Trying to figure out the best investment approach to meet my objectives and would like to put this out to the BP community for your ideas. At this point, I prefer to have deals closer to home (Chicago area) though I realize that may be limiting. Is it better to buy fewer, more expensive deals that may cashflow more (though will require a bigger outlay of initial capital) or to spread out this capital in creative ways to fund a few deals?