If you cash flow $1K per month for 36 months, and then sell with the ability to pull back your original investment, would you consider that a win?

Your ability to identify properties and markets where you can generate equity (both imputed and appreciated) while using debt responsibly and knowing when is most appropriate to sell is how you acquire more real estate. 

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.

I'm all for safe housing and keep up with any issues on my properties but this is insane.

(It was Hollywood and everybody has dogs)2) Somebody tried selling the appliances that came with the unit which included the fridge, dishwasher, stove & microwave.3) We were recently affected by the fires and had to evacuate, some tenants refused to evacuate even after police forced them to because they were "tougher than the fire".Have you heard of those horror stories about tenants completely trashing apartments and feces all over the apartment?

I found a house that I like to purchase in a great neighborhood and the exterior looks great for a 1922 stick built house.

House hacking, if you will. 

It is the bridge between buying and selling a flipped home.

We have made money buying properety based on cash flow (lower priced) rented out for a period, then selling to an owner occupant. 

From a personal standpoint I target 70% LTV for any investment I have that way gives me ability to sell it if I need too