This will increase the return above what can be obtained on a passive investment.The flipside of having the power to control everything is that it can be alot of work (and a full-time job if a person is putting in sweat equity).

In several markets I follow there has been a HUGE increase in taxes year over year for the past several years.

My recommendation would be to choose potential markets - in several price points - that have strong rental demand and year-over-year rent increases and that also are in markets that are appreciating. 

I would like Lawrence or areas that are starting to increase in value but not as high currently. 

Debt Reduction - at the very least, another human being is paying down your mortgage and increasing your equity.

This can result in a significant increase in property taxes, especially if the property has appreciated in value over the years.The ATI exemption allows property owners to apply for a reduction in the assessed value of their property for tax purposes.

Also due to price increases you can probably cut a better deal on an existing home and probably get better quality too.Normally you'll probably need a couple of years of income to get a loan. 

However, it’s important to ensure the seller is comfortable with the terms and that the property cash flow can support the agreed-upon monthly payments.Seller financing can be a good strategy to grow your portfolio with less initial capital, especially if you're able to increase the property's value through improvements (forcing appreciation).

Do you see any new rental property up in the market has increased rent since L.A. fire issue?

Many of these areas also benefit from both rising home values and increasing rents.Ultimately, successful investing comes down to selecting a growing market, a strong neighborhood, and building a reliable team to support you.