We decided to do a full rehab to get nearly double the rent ($2900)and increase the ARV to $260k.  

Yearly increasing costs will, in time, eat up any profit they have per unit.

There are always ways to increase the value of most homes, but that is also a crap shoot.

@Jordan Meltzer unless you find a screaming deal - a Class A property won't cashflow for 3-5 years.Class B: 1-3 years.Class C: most investors don't properly understand the risks, so should stay away from them.So, you may need to deal with negative cashflow, but plan on appreciation increasing your wealth.

Not a huge increase in cash flow, but you're picking up another appreciating asset. 

We’re looking to increase our lifestyle through the decrease in housing and built a little passive income medium term. 

Find the best local real estate investor meetups that have no pitches and you will increase your knowledge, camaraderie, and motivation ten-fold.

I mean we tracked a 2 mil population metro and were able to buy 1 to 3 a month with 6 full time folks doing nothing but the tracking and door knocking. do it yourself going to be a challenge but hey give it a try see how it works.

"Getting in" is easy; making money, managing the business, with the increased financial risk of commercial properties is a whole different game. 

This will increase the return above what can be obtained on a passive investment.The flipside of having the power to control everything is that it can be alot of work (and a full-time job if a person is putting in sweat equity).