There are VERY few markets that only flatlined while everyone else experienced a decrease in property values.

Does lower competition mean decrease or increase rent ?

Once I’ve done that, I want to focus on making more payments on one of the properties to decrease my risk and then move on and buy some more.

With decreases in inventory and increases in population prices have continued to quickly rise in the city limits.

I did an analysis on this property myself (but very new to the process) and couldn't determine a way for it to cash flow without decreasing the price (I also didn't have a sound understanding of the utility expenses either so that could change things)Do you mind sharing your analysis so that I can learn from what you did/how you made the numbers work?

Mobile homes tend to decrease in value and the insurance only cover so much.

Meanwhile, a tax professional will help you understand how to best structure and run your business so as to decrease your tax liability as much as possible.

Do you use the same percentage and set aside a chunk for each new property you buy, or do you maybe decrease the percentage as you get more properties and have a bigger chunk of money saved?

Leaving your job is likely to retard making money via rentals as the only way to do that successfully is via loans and your ability to get loans for rental properties will drastically decrease when you leave your job.Age is not required to retire, income is, so there is no set rule you need to wait 20 years to retire. 

It is also a big salary decrease!!