I now look at the whole world as my playground but I'm focusing on the best markets, which are in Latin America and Southern Europe: Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Brazil, Uruguay, Portugal, Spain, Italy, ...That approach is best for diversification.

Real estate investing, for me, is more of a diversification/tax tool that I would prefer to set and forget long term.  

And like I said I like the diversification.

@Justin D. active vs passive is certainly a primary consideration, but diversification is right up there with it.

Ultimately, I think it is worth going for it, because I am not even dating someone yet, I am confident I can get renters, I plan to hold the properties or trade up within next 5 - 10 years, and when I get married, I would have flexibility and diversification in that we would have two homes to choose from, and could rent out the other one.

Maybe a little of both for diversification is a good play.

Multiple properties give you diversification, but then you'll have to manage multiple properties compared to 1.

Hi Katherine-Great questions.As a Realtor and real estate investor in Michigan, I think Realtors that continue to add value regardless of market conditions will be in demand and do well.Additionally, I think working with real estate investors is a smart diversification of value a Realtor can bring--not all Realtors do.To your success!

Larger complexes are more sensitive to population, economic changes, diversification of the local economy, municipal services, location can be more critical as well.  

My one property is paid in Full, therefore I can leverage up to 80-90% value (80-90k) at any time.In my opinion, take it for what its worth, I like a 50% cash in finance.This allows for you to do a 30% leverage right away, you have half the payment, so more cash flow, but you get the diversity of risk, without too much diversification to hit diminishing returns.For instance.I have 100k again, I buy TWO properties, my pay is 350/month, and I make 1k per, or in essence, I make 650/property, for 1300/month cash.I dont quite make 1500 like the full 5, I make more than the one, I gain the power of leverage, at the sacrifice of cash flow, but I have the protections of diversity, but without too much of it.