@Savannah WalbertI personally like the SE with new construction below $300K that still cash flows well AND appreciates in both rents and market value.  

Purchase price: $363,000 Cash invested: $50,000 Sale price: $395,000 I owned a duplex for about 3 years before I sold it and moved to Los Angeles.https://www.redfin.com/DC/Washington/2429-Irving-St-SE-20020/home/10160511?

Some private companies have tried to create MLS in other countries (like HipFlat in Thailand and Dot Property Group in some SE Asian Countries, Cabo has somewhat of MLS system thru Point2 I believe, but all not quite like here. 

They generally get rerented at the se price or just $100 more.HOWEVER, for the majority of my inherited tenants, it been averaging $3K.

As noted, some things don't have a direct ROI, per se, but are rather maintenance items that need done.  

It's not "normal" per se, but it does happen.  

Would you rather be in the midwest or SE?  

It is a red flag per se, but not a deal breaker on its own.how a landlord manages their property plays a big role in the regularity of tenant payments.

This family member is fully trustworthy and doesn't need the income per se, but structuring it this way could benefit both of us.

Pick better neighborhoods and put a little more down to get to break even you will come out far ahead in the long run dont get so focused on cash flow per se.