Quote from @Jaycee Greene: I am currently saving so the lower the better just for my time being Quote from @Ella Marie: Hello I'm new here and I am more than excited to get started in the real estate business.

Cheap houses in lower class neighborhoods will get you cash flow with a lot of headache.

A lot of people are giving you advice without enough context as to what you would like to do other than get a higher than 3% cash on cash return and other than only putting down 20% - 30% as a down payment.Something that is important to know to give proper suggestions is what you want the investment to do for you and how active you want to be in the investment.In general, the more active you are, the higher your return, the less active you are, the lower the return because you pay for others to do that work for you.

I would negotiate a price point that is lower - maybe the 10-12% range above "market".

I have been digesting all things Real Estate so right now I am working to lower my DTI while saving at least 6-7% for the Owner Occupant down payment (to include closing cost, etc.).

Do it very intentionally, not just for the sake of scaling up, but to get better quality or easier to manage properties that will replace lower quality or harder properties. 

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.

Smart thermostats, in particular, can help you monitor energy use and lower costs between stays.I hope everyone’s experiences and perspectives help guide you as you start this journey!

If you do have to move because of a job, you would be safest (in my opinion, i am not giving legal advice or financial advice), i would sell that property to ensure that you did not just purchase with the goal of moving out early and taking advantage of lower rates and lower down payments for purchasing your home as a primary residence. 

that we’ve learned in our 24 years, managing almost 700 doors across the Metro Detroit area, including almost 100 S8 leases:Class A Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, 3-5 years for positive cashflow, but you get highest relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% the more recent norm.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 680+ (roughly 5% probability of default), zero evictions in last 7 years.Class B Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, decent amount of relative rent & value appreciation.Vacancy Est: Historically 10%, 5% should be applied only if proper research done to support.Tenant Pool: Majority will have FICO scores of 620-680 (around 10% probability of default), some blemishes, but should have no evictions in last 5 yearsClass C Properties:Cashflow vs Appreciation: Typically, high cashflow and at the lower end of relative rent & value appreciation.