.: Quote from @Edward Toomey V:I’ve had rental properties for over 22 years.

For newbies, I recommend starting with a turnkey cash flow rental.

Being in Arlington, you’re in a prime area for finding multi-family units with strong rental demand, so you’re in a great position to make this work.We’re excited to have you here and look forward to hearing more about your journey!

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

Currently my husband are out of state investors with 3 single family rentals in KC. 

Include a buyout clause allowing you to transition to sole ownership after two years, based on a pre-determined valuation formula or market value.Use an LLC to hold the property for liability protection and pass-through taxation, ensuring both partners benefit from depreciation to offset rental income.

Working with the city to find a solution.There is a similar situation near me where an investor bought a short term rental house, rehabbed it, ran it for a while, and then got in trouble with the town after a neighbor complained and the town said short term rentals weren't allowed in the community. 

Loans are approved based off of the rental income of the property.

Also keep in mind when I started funding investment rentals in 2002 for CA investors 100.00 a month cash flow was the goal and accepted.. and even break even or a little negative was fully acceptable in markets with historic appreciation..

Eastmoor and whitehall are good too because of newer home ages after 1940 where you don't have knob and tube wiring and some of the other issues. don't be afraid to look at new construction or ground up new builds closer to downtown. rentals are overpriced in these areas but build costs are low and it can be a good strategy