Rising rates will make it more difficult to own, which will increase demand for rentals and thereby enable me to raise my rates, resulting in increased income on my properties.  

They've enabled us to go completely paperless.

Try and get a synopsis of his background how he got started, his family , education , etc ..but you will know the questions to ask because you would have gone online and gathered what ever info they're may be on him , which will enable you to ask very pointed questions that make a connection with him. 

Both, my wife and I have a comfortable 6-figure income as well as savings stacked away, which enables us to “swing” the rent.

You must find a model where a purchase price will yield a certain amount of rent back, that will enable you make money for your needs. 

Threw off a boat load a cash and enabled me to proceed to my next pretty quickly....If I can make 1 suggestion it would be to try to buy your first investment relatively close to where you reside..

We will build a portfolio of buy-and-hold properties that will both cash flow well enough to get us out of the rat race, and appreciate over time.We will start our journey by house hacking a four-plex in Visalia that will enable us to put more of Eric’s retirement income towards real estate activities.We stumbled upon BP while learning about passive income.

If you buy a duplex, you can apparently count part of the actual/potential rent from the other side right out the gate to increase the income you can show on your loan application for that first property, which can qualify you for a higher loan amount (thus enabling you to buy a larger duplex or in a nicer neighbourhood).

But the fiscal stimulus has bridged that gap for the time being which enabled forbearance and stimulus checks, etc.

Can you find the deals that will enable you to pull out a big chunk of money after renos?