Newbie investors talk about how they are going to get rentals so they can quit their job.

Quote from @Matt McNabb: I'm a solid $400k/yr job in NYC and have $250k to begin investing as my first step into building a portfolio, although I don't have time to be a landlord so I have to account for management fees.  

Few of us are full-time hosts, instead we have day-jobs.

I do not think anyone in Cleveland will do a good job. 

Plus, you get amazing appreciation potential due to how much population growth, job growth, and companies moving and developing here.

Our job is to provide you assistance. 

If it's not a real job... next.

On the other hand, I’m hesitant to simply pay down more of a property, as we don’t need the immediate cash flow.Fortunately, both my wife’s job and mine are recession-proof, which allows us to be a bit more aggressive with our investments.I’d really appreciate advice from investors who have experience with frequent moves or military service.

Could be the tenant is not using the service, doing something to attract roaches or the exterminator isn't doing their job.

@Victor Yang To use the rental losses to offset any active income (W2), you'd have meet Real Estate Professional status (which would be difficult to do with a W2 job because you'd have to work more on real estate than any other job to qualify) OR have an AGI of $150K or less.