Also, I can not emphasize enough, this is not the time to buy condos anywhere in FL.

Gale, you make a very important distinction and you emphasize that even if you are working (not passive) and maybe not making as much as you would like, the fulfillment from doing something you WANT to do instead of something you HAVE to do can be more compensation than the money itself.

We both think the other one is kind of smart and our father has being a real estate broker for about 45 years and had a great way of talking to other people and made it look pretty simple and he taught both of us a little.I thought when I graduated college (in 1980) I could do the same thing and got a business degree that emphasized real estate.  

Instead I find the problem that I can resolve that a realtor typically can't, and emphasize that.

Haha Michael I tried to emphasize BEST strategy, because I know there are many options.

I had my first tenant buy a used deep freezer, and used washer and dryerthey were full of roaches and he never told me so he let them fester for 6 mos by the time I found out they had taken a strong hold and I am not sure I will ever get rid of them.I cant over emphasize fix the small things as they come up there will always be more things to fix later you dont want them piling up.

That should not discourage you, but your eyes should be wide open when you decide how to finance your growth.Another thing I want to emphasize is that you SHOULD NOT be using other people's financing if you are unable to refinance the property in the future.

I can't emphasize enough how easy it was to use.  

Anyway, to emphasize again that BP is a tool available for you to use, there are many success stories on BP that offer inspiration and real-life examples of how to get started if you want to look for ideas or direction.Although it does sound like your budget does not contain much frivolous items (kudos to that!)

I cannot emphasize this enough.