Everyone has to live somewhere.

Quote from @Pravit Jarriyapurttipong: Hello,I live in Queens New York but I want to invest in Buffalo New York.Which town should be easier to manage?

Cash flow seems like the obvious one but I'm struggling with the concept of building equity at expense of cash flow. 

I lived in a college town and student rentals did very well as did STRs for parents coming in to visit their children.  

I ask because I hear single section 8 tenants like to have their bf/gf living in with them...Quote from @Rich N.: @Peter GoellerBecause they way Sec8 does it, is that their local Sec8 inspector is suppose to the know the market rate.So, let me clarify this. 

Let people live.

It can be done but it may take years to build up cash flow especially if you live in high cost area like CA.   

That’s because the longer someone has lived in their house, the more that home’s value has grown, which directly increases equity.And if you’re one of those people who’s been in their home for 10 years or more, know this – according to NAR:“Over the past decade, the typical homeowner has accumulated $201,600 in wealth solely from price appreciation.”The Benefits of Having Home EquityWhat does that mean for you?

Virtually everyone lives somewhere especially true for those that pay taxes (in CA property and income tax).  

If it is cluttered buyers will have a harder time visioning themselves living there.