When I do it at 20% down, I can only find negative cashflow, so I could be looking in the wrong spot, or I need to put more down, or I am missing something all together.I have read that making a 8% return or higher is what to look for, and I can find break even.

With a 3-5% down FHA loan, I snagged a cozy home in a hot spot, worked from home to play handyman, and created a hedge against the "what-ifs" of life.

We have Clearwater, Saint Pete and Indian Rocks beaches that are hot spots for STRs.

I’m currently looking in the Milwaukee, WI area—it seems to be a great spot to invest.

Use your superior knowledge, experience and analytical ability to spot something in a property being offered for sale that everyone else has missed.  

It’s awesome to hear you have a connection to Montana—Bozeman is a great spot!

Wow, that’s a tough spot, and it really sounds like you tried your best to meet them halfway.

And you can determine the sweet spot for pricing your place based on comparable properties that are your competition."

You are spot on.

If you do sell, think about where you’d put the money, whether into more passive investments like index funds or REITs, or possibly diversifying into a different market with better opportunities.If you decide to keep renting, you’re in a pretty solid spot right now.