The tenant base, on average, tends to be rougher on the properties, moves more frequently, and cannot absorb any rent increases.  

@Scott Trench - have you considered investing in short term rentals, materially participating, and having the average stay be less than 7 days?

Real estate investing is forgiving; the average person can still make money even with some big mistakes.

In fact, the average real estate investor saved $19,000 annually per property under the TCJA.

You would then stress to not incur any improvement cost above $22,000 or you may have to liquidate the property.In this scenariod, $60,000 if you are making an above return at 10% to 12% annually + $30,000 making $4% in a HYSA, the average return is maybe around 8%The blended return would be about 9%You may be better off investing in the stock market, get a slightly lower return but without all the added stress / work.

I do know Walter and have known him for more than 25 years, he is upstanding and he is smarter than the average bear, he's in the deal to help people and I have learned an immense amount from him I am now 67 years old and I bought my very first home by having my parents cosign!

If more than one person applies together, then we combine their scores for a group average.

To get those hours, maybe turn one or two into medium term rentals (you want the average stays to be over 7 days so they don't fall into STR status) which would give her more to do, particularly in the first year of furnishing them and getting everything set up.Alternatively, she maybe she could manage the properties but also get her RE license and try to sell a house or two a year - go to lots of open houses or run them for other agents?

Limited Housing InventoryThe number of homes for sale in Buffalo is significantly below pre-pandemic levels, with a reported 46.1% decrease compared to 2018–2019 averages.

Seller is the Agent.Seller bought property in January of 2023 for $730,000Current “As Is” Value : $770,000Target Acquisition Price: $730,000-$780,000 After Repaired Value: $900,000Repair Estimate: $120,000Initial Offer Amount: $715,000Loan Program: Bank Statement Program.Total Estimated Monthly Payments (Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance) $5500/month (based on $770k purchase price)Estimated Gross Yearly Income from Short Term Rental: $160,000 (65% Occupancy, $700 a night| (STR Listing Comparable properties Listing 1 Listing 2 Listing 3)Net Monthly Income after management and taxes: $11,751.25Net Monthly Income after Mortgage Payments: $6251.25 ($75,015) Per YearTotal Cash Investment: $297,000 ($177,000 in down payment and closing costs and $120,000 in repairs)Average Yearly Return on Investment: 25% yearlyAverage increase in property value per year: 5%Average increase in booking revenue per year 7.5%Property Value average after 10 years: $1.5 millionTotal Cash received over 10 years: $1.3 million.Total Equity multiple min over 10 years: 6x total return on $297,000 invested.