Start researching price to rent ratios in areas and see which area has the best combination of cash flow/place you want to live!

Purchase price: $240,000 Cash invested: $60,000 purchased this distressed duplex using owner financing for $240K and a $60K hard money loan for renovations.

Feel free to shoot me a call or text and I can get your criteria and make sure I keep you looped in on anything I come across.

Purchase price: $110,000 Cash invested: $30,000 Hobby Farm On 10 acres2300 sq ft house with 8 out buildings - Large Barn, Animal/hog barn, Mid-size machine shed (2) 25' x 35' / 30' x 50', Large Machine shed 60' x 60', Grainery barn, Entertainment Barn, 3 car garage What made you interested in investing in this type of deal?

Financially free always betas debt free, and taking on more "smart" debt is not only opposite of risky but actually the goal for the most seasonal investors.  

@Geoff Engel depending on what amount of available cash you are starting with and what you ultimately want to achieve will help determine your path.

it's a FREE MARKET.  

If you need any contacts that would travel to do the work feel free to DM me.

. - I was in a VERY similar situation here in Chicago, but I had less experience working on my own than you.I had a piece of land that I owned free and clear, but since I didn't have any development experience, most of the banks wouldn't talk to me. 

Can you be financially free, sure, consider if you are buying real estate you will no longer have stable income to get a loan.