I bought my home at the very end of 2021 but really didn't do any work on it or collect rent in 2021. 2022 is when I really started to do work on the rental side/unit of my property.

Jsut ask anyone how bought in LA or SF bay area 10 years ago.

We just bought a house in a highly desired older neighborhood.The owner agreed to owner finance it with 5k down over 5 years at 0% interest.We did put some money into the house to fix it up some.The rental income will cover the payments.Always ask for owner financing, the answer might surprise you.Work with money partners to do more deals.Join your local Real Estate Club and learn new techniques and grow your network.

Most other costs are relatively standard I believe.  11) buy at market rates - dont splurge in a market because numbers look good - we are more than likely going to see balking in prices - if not a little recession in the next few years - would suck to own something you couldnt sell becuase you bought the most expensive property at the top - goes back to being mindful of your market.  

A little more about the situation: I bought a duplex last year as a first investment property / primary residence.

Given that the difference in the two is often only $150 or so (just bought a new washer dryer pair for myself at Home Depot)...

Not an impossible task, but it winds up being ALOT of work for a home that is still likely to have a number of deficiencies compared to a newly built, energy efficient home.Now the question I've had a lot of people ask me is: I just bought a concrete block home.

I bought a house a little over a year ago.

My beginning mentors were two RE investor friends who did become retire early from W2 jobs by the age of 40 but they bought their properties in 2014 and going back to the late 1990s.

I know they bought that property based on analysis, but don't know the market or area.I'll bet there is all kind of opportunity where you live.