Are my goals realistic?

[Ayyub Omer]

Hey everyone,

I've thought about my goals for real estate, and I've come up with the following:

1. 8-10% target yearly returns including appreciation and cash flow. No US income, so tax benefits would be limited to the income from the property itself.
2. No leverage, properties bought with cash
3. At least 4% cash flow from the properties that I can live off eventually, the rest can be appreciation, I don't mind. I don't mind negative cash flow for the first 8 years either, but I want to retire after 8-10 years. I can life like a pauper and save a decent amount yearly until then.
4. I don't live in the states so everything is oos to me :). I'm also looking into my home town in the meantime, but I know this forum is focused on the states.

Are my goals realistic and achievable? I'm thinking that any decent investment property from the MLS that I buy and holds should let me reach my goals, but I don't own any property so I was hoping for the perspective of someone more experienced.

Thanks,
Ayyub

[Stephen J Davis]

1. This is a low expectation if you know what you are doing.

2. NO! Please, never do a negative cash flow deal. I make $350 to $450 positive cash flow on every single-family I buy.

3. Never pay cash for real estate. This reduces your rate of return by as much as 70%.

4. Take a course on real estate investing before you do anything because, based off of your comments, you don't know what you are doing. Sorry if the comes across harsh but you need to know that. 

Get educated and good luck.