Over the years I have noticed Toledo has created some onerous laws for rental property investors and our Housing Court seems to start off with the notion that you are wrong and must prove why you aren't instead of the other way around.I will be interested in hearing back what the Land Bank says to you.

Biggest thing for you first is letting go of your  notion of perfection and just doing it.

The notion of "keeping" a tenant for eternity is insanity, your going to have vacancy, it will happen, accept it.

So yeah, if your happy with just clearing $1,500 mnth, and want to keep things as simple as possible, yeah maybe just 1 free & Clear IS your ticket.The notion of perpetual debt, perpetual growth, it's immature as a business plan in REI.

It’s strange how there is this notion that you just “become” a real estate investor.

A well knows out-of-state-investor trap in Milwaukee.I agree with the notion that investing for appreciation tends to be speculation.

@Jared SmithI second the notion on Tom Staab.....I used him for a couple of inspections last year..........I will PM you his contact info

Most of my clients have the similar background that they have a Primary Active Income, often a business venture of some kind, and have built a portfolio over xyz-time, but have ran into "a-wall" where either it's turned from investment to time-consumption, operational issues, uncertainty of next steps, or scaling seems a difficult or fearful notion. 

Do away with any fundamental notion you have of honor and integrity and follow the money because that is what makes the deal work.

Dan Heuschele not sure where you got the notion I was implying the Midwest but I never mentioned a single area or city.