But tenants paid about 70% of PITI, which is cheaper than renting.

(one end of the candle) Move into a cheaper way of living if possible, such as rent a room from someone who you have commonality with in some way.

Cheaper, and so far so good.

Or should I stay in Iowa and aim at buying cheaper cash-flowing properties?

What I do worry about are the growing pains as we transition from a full-blown capitalist society to whatever is next.Because before goods and services will be so abundant that they are free, they will first have to get gradually cheaper and that forces businesses to compete through more  automation and less human labor in an accelerating cycle.

That honestly doesn't sound too bad I'm sure maybe if you asked around you can find someone who can do it for slightly cheaper but if they have a good reputation and I would go for someone who would do a better job. 

It means cheaper living costs, getting to know how to be a landlord, and having tenants.

These suburbs are being developed rapidly and 4 plex's in those areas are much cheaper than if you were to look towards Central Austin.

However, that's cheaper than hard money and it got me in the game.

The fantasy that it makes anything cheaper is just that, a fantasy.