In my opinion, what you are losing is the short-term comfort and routine that you are accustomed to in order to achieve a long-term goal. 

The advice you get relative to "what to look for" should come from the context of what you want to achieve.

What if $1,200/m rent is not achieved?

You may want to reconsider your ultra conservative investment approach in order to grow and actually achieve positive cash flow.If you are buying homes worth 50K or less and renting for $850 + per month you are not doing as badly however you should try to find a way to pull all your dead equity especially before the markets turn and you end up losing it all.Paying off rental properties is not investing it is hoarding of cash and is extreamly expensive.Just food for thought

Also do that here, connect with everyone and tell us what you’re looking for and what you want to achieve.

Home buyers, now steeped in several years of rising prices and low inventory, became more selective in their purchase choices as housing affordability achieved a ten-year low. 

Will:After a long career in the San Francisco Silicon Valley real estate market, I moved to Greenville, SC 3 years ago and have started investing.I believe one can achieve decent cash flow and solid appreciation.Happy to help educate you about the Greenville market.Arn

My goal is to obtain $70,000 in passive income with a long term buy and hold strategy withing the next 10 years.I want to achieve this so that I can comfortably travel the world and gain life experiences, spend more time with friends and family, and pursue any other goals or interests without having to rely on a full time job. 

I’m definitely not saying you shouldn’t go that route, I’d just encourage you to be very honest with yourself about what you want to achieve.

However, the cost to acquire a property that will allow you to achieve those returns is a real challenge.