It may not get the number of wind/hail storms like TX does, but when the storms do hit in MN, they're usually very large systems, and produce awful hail damage. 

The rent plus his retirement will actually produce positive cash flow.

Find the best property you can afford that also can produce enough income so that your monthly out of pocket expense is equal to or less than what you'd pay in rent.

Excluding the periods of “tulip bulb” irrational exuberance, a property must produce enough of a risk adjusted return to satisfy both the ROI demands of the “limited partners”, and the income/time requirements of the sponsor.  

I need to work on my introduction just to produce a back story to help others understand where I am. 

Your primary home doesn't produce cash flow and is a pure expense.

This amounts to lost opportunity because if you had purchased RE, at the closing it can start producing return. 5) ADUs detract from the existing structure whether this is privacy, a garage, or just yard space. 6) this is related to number 1, but there are many more buyers looking to purchase homes for their family than there are RE investors looking to purchase small unit count properties.

ci=Bismarck&st=Nor...This will help you determine how much demand there is and whether or not you can charge enough to cover your expenses and hopefully produce some cash flow for you.

This will allow you to qualify solely based on the income that is produced from the rent of the property.

I am an aspiring new real estate investor based in CT looking to use the power of real estate as a wealth building tool and income producing asset class.