But if your a W 2 and real estate is how you are planning on retiring by investing that is a completely different lifestyle and motivation and game plan. 

@Breeya JohnsonWhen evaluating markets for real estate investment, there are several crucial factors to consider.

It's not my biggest concern, but it is a factor.

Factor 8%-10% for a reliable property manager (use AllPropertyManagement.com).After that, you're golden.

I a factoring in the replacement of the AC unit and potentially the water heater, and the cosmetic thins (I would do myself) to get it to rentable standard.

Are there any key factors or metrics you look for when analyzing a neighborhood's potential?

There are markets that have built in "gotchas" like the rising cost of insurance in coastal FL, regulations in much of the west coast states and property taxes in Texas; however, the deal itself is the most critical factor.

An article from The Mortgage Reports explains:“The amount you need to put down will depend on a variety of factors, including the loan type and your financial goals.

And while short-term rentals are the big draw here, there’s also growing demand for mid-term rentals from snowbirds and traveling professionals, as well as long-term housing for the increasing number of permanent residents.Yes, higher interest rates are a factor, but the strong rental demand in the Panhandle often helps offset those costs.

If you want to think about it as a math problem, it’s all about where you put your time to maximize returns while also factoring in what you enjoy doing.Picking the MarketI’m the kind of person who gets analysis paralysis.