Also, I just got my real estate license here in Illinois to assist me with my goals.My long term goal is to have enough passive income through rental properties to allow my family and I to cruise the Bahamas and Caribbean on our sailboat as much as possible.

The Holton Wise Property Group was on cruise control getting things set up and getting a tenant in.Along the way I really wondered if I had lost my mind.  

West Michigan is great.If you're looking for advice, you will get plenty on BiggerPockets... just start cruising the forums.  

(if all goes well during those 8 years).Take that $50k back out in 6 months (usual seasoning period) through a refinance, and invest it into the next deal and your original property gets only $5000 ncf per year, but that's $5k ahead...not behind...and...you get to double that on the next deal you're putting the refi cash into...so at the end of the year you're looking at $10k in NCF, while that "all cash in" investor is still cruising at only $8k/year.  

There are some good pockets like west of penn or above 40th  Ave, but I would definitely cruise the neighborhood you buy in before  you buy.

One of my favorite Tom Cruise's movie line Is "Show me the money!".  

I will add get permission to back some cookies... nice cookie smell is comforting.. also bottles of water with your name on them.. lender there to do instant prequal is nice as well.. you can't do this but when its your listing.. you can offer a free cruise certificate.  

Lauderdale because I cruise so much.  

Welcome @Marquez Cohn    I spent some time as a young man cruising Castro Valley Blvd.

I'll try to be the voice of reason, but if I see something that I like, I may get on board.I was in Belize for a day(on a cruise) and can see the potential for any of these countries once theri tourism sector gets developed.