.$400k x %20 = $80k down payment to close (ignoring closing costs and repairs) Now its up to you to figure out the expenses of the deal, including your mortgage payments. lets say if you are renting for $3000/ month, its not unreasonable to assume you could take home $1k per month after expenses (I am simplifying dramatically for time's sake).$12k gross for the year on a $80k investment = %15 cash on cash in the first year if everything goes perfectly.

Many are reluctant to dramatically increase that appraised value on a SFH  within 1 year.Are you talking about a single family home?

It has dramatically changed my late paying tenants to always on time tenants.There have been numerous other tips and tricks I've picked up over the past couple of months. 

Than we were able to by a rental with little down.I also forgot to mention the fact that in our areas the prices as dramatically increased.

Inventory is about to increase dramatically, but this is all new, expensive construction.

If they were both keeping the properties and trying to rent it out but rents lowered and vacancy rose the Guy who didn't pull money out has lower monthly payments.If they were selling the properties Guy who did pull money out has a higher chance of being underwater if prices dropped dramatically.

Traditionally banks have sold without repairs, but some are now doing at least minor repairs, so the difference in quality may not be as dramatic. 

I dont know any US jurisdictions but there are places where the cap gains tax drops dramatically or to nothing after x years - so, you would want to sell and invest in the next one to get this advantage again.

We just purchased 2 more duplexes which will only add 6 months to our payoff time, but will increase the income dramatically!

I also feel that my learning curve was dramatically shortened compared to how long it would have taken me to get to this point on my own.