How long should you expect to keep rentals to make it worthwhile?

[Matt Dittman]

I have been wanting to get into the rental game for a few years now, but needed my financial standing to be in the right place. We're at the place now that I could possibly pick up a single family dwelling or two, but we ARE thinking about relocating within a few years.

It seems that I could possibly make a go of this, as long as I stick to properties that would both be a good long term hold AND could make money doing a flip. But, since I haven't done any of this before, wanted to get opinions of those who would know better. I'm a believer that if you keep putting off things and wait until the timing is absolutely perfect you won't ever do it... so I don't want to miss opportunity if a good property shows up.