@Derick Jennings Without knowing more about your situation, I'd likely recommend a house hack, a strategy I wish I would have known about when I got started.

@Abby H.Shifting from house hacking to small multifamily is a great way to scale, and securing a JV partner is all about networking, credibility, and structuring a win-win deal.

These special assessment were thousands of dollars, and there was no sufficient reserves from the monthly fees to cover these large biggers, so the owner were required to cover the shortfalls out of pocket, what a great way to ruin your cash flow and ROI.There are benifits to condos, including tennis courts, playground, swimming pools, club houses, and fitness facilities. 

No loan, I paid cash for the 5 acres and built a pole house myself. 

I went from growing up in a hut in Vietnam and spending my early years in Section 8 housing in the U.S. to now owning four cash-flowing properties (8 units) across three states.

You might also consider house hacking or a local deal first to get some hands-on experience before managing remotely.

Anyone in NWA looking to house hack a 4plex?

House hack is the only option but even that might not be feasible.

I have a lake house near a University.

Another option is moving out of your place and doing a house hack.