Over time, rents may increase, improving your cash flow, and you’ll gain equity and valuable experience managing tenants and property operations.

Your reserves should be part of the expense calculation: PITI, maintenance, capex, vacancy, property management, etc.

Plus, compared to other parts of Florida, the Panhandle is still relatively affordable, making it a great option for first-time investors or those looking to diversify their portfolio.Another huge perk is Florida’s no state income tax and landlord-friendly laws, which make it easier to manage and profit from rental properties.

My markup is always lower than the original lender's because I don't spend money advertising during the Super Bowl, my president doesn't have a corporate jet, and we don't have layers of management we need to pay.

There are a few properties in the Midwest that manage to generate cash flow, although the appreciation is minimal—this is about the best scenario you can expect.

I would focus on a duplex first so you learn house hacking and management of one tenant.

Interview many property managers to find the best one (they can be a deal flow source too).

Ask yourself would you invest your money with an 18 year old new investor with no experience buying, or managing investment real estate? 

He is an investor, investor focused realtor, STR property manager and handles everything from Step A-Z.

You’ll want to invest in areas that have tenant interest but also aren't on the extreme end of neighborhood quality—this means avoiding the very toughest spots, where turnover can be high and managing tenants can be difficult.