They then obtain a favorable appraisal and achieve decent cash flow in the earlier years.

Clearly identify what you want to achieve in real estate and use that as a guiding force throughout your journey.

I'm going off the understanding that you still need to spend 500+ hours in the business to achieve material participation (please correct me if I'm wrong). 

Did you feel like using a property management company could help you achieve the goals you had for your investment property? 

To deter the break-ins you need to have window coverings on all the windows, a light on and not advertise that the unit is vacant.

i do not however use it for heat mine is an AC only unit I believe not a heat pump unit.If you're whole unit is relying on one mini split for ac and heat that surprises me just given if you shut a bedroom door you'd not have heat from the split that I assume is in the living room. 

Be sure to celebrate the goals that you achieved!!

Negotiations focused on securing the property at a favorable price, enabling us to achieve a profitable margin in a highly competitive market without requiring additional renovations.

The motivation is not necessarily to scale into larger opportunities but rather to achieve better balance and also optimize the performance of the projects and types of projects I currently pursue.I have no shortage of individuals who possess specific skill set who would want exclusive rights to that particular service vertical in return for contributing capital and a partnership interest (construction background and wants to take over all construction duties or someone who is a sales broker and wants to list all of the properties etc.)

If rents don't outpace inflation, you cannot achieve financial freedom.The income must last throughout your lifetime.