Elliot, Newbie from Gainesville, Florida

[Elliot Larkin]

Hello Everyone,

 I recently graduated from the University of Florida with a Masters in Management and my parents are interested in investing in some property. I am currently educating myself to make an investment in 2-4 single family rentals (~$100,000 each) to buy and hold and manage these properties as I move forward with other entrepreneurial ventures. My goals are to get experience finding, buying, marketing, and managing properties with positive cash-flow. 

As of now my parents are considering paying cash for the properties, but the more I read, the more it seems like this option will not be the best to maximize return. Anyone have thoughts on this?