Without knowing all of your specifics, I'd say that it's only worth holding on to if you can reasonably expect to have some really good appreciation in the near future (like 5 yrs)....Or, in the case where it would run well as a vacation rental, you could switch the usage, maybe?

Know your responsibilities as a landlord instead of acquiescing to every request or complaint.

Real estate has always been in the back of my mind as a way to increase our wealth and provide for our family.

Not a tough process (unless you stink at your job as a property manager, right?)

As Columbus cements its reputation as a tech hub, the ongoing and planned investments by major tech firms are likely to ensure long-term growth in the local real estate market.

And if it's a high amount, would you be better off just using that as a downpayment and get a standard new investment loan?

Whenever I have used seller financing as a buyer I always put in the note that the note holder must give me the first right of refusal to purchase my note at the same discount they are selling it at.

One way would be to get the real estate under contract, then bring an experienced partner in who also has access to capital, and stay in the deal as a minority equity partner.

You need to have a solid understanding of the business as a whole.

So as a newer person in an area if you want a lot of bids before you close you'll normally end up with the more expensive guys or the ones that don't have work at the moment (usually for a reason).