Think if one house grosses 1k/month, then it may net say $500/month (after maintenance/repairs, CapEx).

If it is a duplex then I comp it like a house with an ADU.

I am an advocate for buying real estate and then just holding it. 

Detroit/Flint are gives great return in good neighbourhoods if one has the right team on the ground, More then willing to share why we are investing there and how we do it safely

If you achieved this by paying all cash, then you are losing money. 

When I say "ask the questions" i mean literally ask the prospective tenant, you will be able to get a feel for them if they are witholding or being decietful, Then go with your gut feeling.

Then the last piece to my puzzle is I am expecting to switch jobs (from a W-2 to a completely different W-2 with similar pay) in the next month or 3. 

If you choose to set it up in Illinois (IL) and then file as a foreign entity in MI, you will end up paying two state filing fees, which unnecessarily increases your costs.

If it's a high dollar home, then no more than $1,000.

If not then passive investing in syndications is your best bet.