This is just 1 example of how it REALLY works to achieve retirement from investment property. 

A coach won't do it for you, so you need to be sure you fully understand what you're looking to achieve and have the time and energy to get the results.

Jaybe if you had a few units this can be achieved

-Your current STR seems seasonal, so even without a mortgage, you may not achieve year-round cash flow.

The only way to achieve this is by looking at and doing real deals.

McKinney and Princeton have been growing a lot and it is a good place to invest, but it is always related to what you are looking to achieve in a rental investment, appreciation or cash flow.At this time that area does not offer a big cash flow and due to the amount of development going on there, rental demand has declined a bit.In any case you have to make an analysis case by case.

Without the high leverage you reduce the top source of return in CA RE which is achieve via the appreciation on a high leverage property.  

My ultimate goal is to acquire enough real estate to achieve financial freedom, allowing me to travel, provide a comfortable life for my family, and teach my children about discipline, financial literacy, and the wealth-building potential of real estate.I’m here to learn, share, and connect with others who share this passion.

Very difficult to be successful with this program when buying in these lower tier markets unless you are hands on as you say and yes, scale is necessary to achieve efficiencies.

This reminds me of how Alex Hormozie describes "the value equation"; Experience in this case is the factor that determines the likelihood of achievement. 1,000%Alex Hormozie is one of the greatest marketers not just alive, but ever.