It's key that rent money tops the costs of loans, upkeeps, and others, and aiming for homes sold at low costs.

The maximum amount of the energy package that can be added to the borrower’s regular FHA loan amount is the lesser of:· A cost-effective improvements to be made (energy package) based on the home energy assessment; or· the lesser of 5 percent of:the Adjusted Value;115 percent of the median area price of a Single Family dwelling; or150 percent of the national conforming mortgage limit.An FHA-approved lender can access FHA’s EEM Calculator to determine the dollar maximum amount that a borrower can finance for energy improvements.

Even a good manager needs to be overseen, met with in person, and I like to put eyes on my rentals fairly regularly, since it is my money on the line. 

Many regular agents would not know how to handle this without asking their broker..I assume you contacted the seller after the listing expired, correct?

I would also prioritize trying to replace your regular 9-5 job and then gradually increasing your income with more experience.

Somewhere in there, there has to be a mechanism that makes the regular commentators some kind of money.Really, how do you explain what it's like to live the different versions of this real estate life and be as focused as we are on things that are so different from what most people think about?

Landlords should inspect their properties regularly and be aware of what's going on.

I see these four rentals providing us a regular stream of income during retirement. 

It's important to go there in person, at the very least do video calls if you can't fly out and be in regular communication with whoever is working on or managing your property.

The purpose would be to rent it out through a property manager just like a regular single family home.