My plan for the cash flow is to build up a cushion for expenses and then begin to re-invest it.

So this ideology of let me build up my llc and show it as having cash by inserting cash into it or by having that llc generate cash uh you're gonna have to have a stabilized income for several years and be able to produce profit and loss statements that get a commercial lender to fund.Your deal okay normally that's going to come in the form of a soft money lender or a soft hard money lender right so this ideology of building a company that is going to be able to eventually borrow money for itself that's possible but not in one of the main streams of the market.

From there you can build up equity and save cash for a next primary residence under FHA at 3.5% down, and then rather than sell that first home, rent it out. 

I would view jobs as a temporary necessity to build up cash for investments, be they education investments, business investments, or real estate investments (and I wouldn't invest anywhere other than those three). 

If you continue to accumulate rentals, your DIY knowledge will make it easier for you to screen Property Mangement Companies and not get screwed.Refinance ASAP to get rid of PMI/MIP and get a lower rate.Select a 15, 20, 25 or 30 year loan term based on the payment that gives you the "cashflow vs equity buildup" you want.

You can build up from there if all goes according to plan and expand as you accumulate cash flow or pay down your primary residence and travel etc.

Everything I have is owned outright, but I’ve certainly used creative financing ideas to build up my portfolio.

@Tim Shi I use 5% as the figure when calculating on a purchase but then once I own the property I just build up a big reserve to work from in case something goes wrong.

If it looks pretty clean as far as the big pieces go you can build up your major maintenance cash reserve later. 

You should be able to reasonably rely on a local real estate professional, but certainly confirm with the local planning & zoning department for inking any deal.