I understand they can make our life a lot easier but is it worth it if it eats up a lot of our cash flow? 

Always smart to see the bigger picture and future cash flow potential!

After 45 + years as a real estate investor, broker, lender, fund manager and syndicator, I’ve become aware that the “dream” of many investors and investor “hopefuls” is to be able to generate enough cash flow to live off their real estate holdings and accumulate enough wealth to make “work” optional.

I've narrowed down the best return for my money in this market to a 2 bed/2 bath (with top tier amenities) - about 500 total 2/2 listings.I'm finding myself a bit stuck when analyzing why certain properties are making so much higher than the average listings when they seem to have very similar locations, amenities, style, flow of home, beds/# of people they sleep, reviews, number of reviews, etc.

I think there's a path to refinance that would flip me into positive cash flow, but I'm coming up short on ideas. 

Are you looking to buy more properties in LR or just improve the cash flow of your current one?

By "Tax Loss" I mean that it is likely that without depreciation your property is cash flow positive.If you Materially Participate in the management of your portfolio of rental properties, that loss will be treated as Non-passive, and will flow through to page one of your Form 1040 tax return.  

If you are in the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton market, you used to be able to get duplexes for $50k to $100k and make it cash flow quickly.

If you're looking for cash flowing markets.. a lot of investors, including myself, are looking in cities like Cleveland.

The capital required for Denver, and limited cash flow makes it a tough market to get your next one.