Cash flow is real, but it’s often a long-term play.

Plus, having a fully paid-off property could be a nice safety net if the STR market takes a hit or occupancy slows down.On the flip side, if you’re eager to grow, saving for another property could be the better play.

So if you had 20 of them, you're talking about a huge retirement kicker that you can build.If you're up there higher in age (i.e. 40's or 50's), then the long play doesn't make as much sense. 

I very much have a long term play and "don't care" about the cash flow immediately, but obviously I don't want them to negative. 

Without doing a deep dive explanation on this forum, I will say that everyone can play with numbers to create whatever picture you want.

In playing with the numbers a bit, I'm seeing a trend of atleast 2% rent to price and (ideally) < 7% mortgage rate needed to achieve a decent cash on cash rate.

Long term play would be to either use it as a short term rental or 1031 exchange it after 2+ years.

Keep track of those costs this year, they come into play in 2025 when it's in service.

Columbus is going to be more of an appreciation play and cash flow margins will be tighter in the beginning. 

🙌 I’ve definitely seen the pros and cons play out in both single-family and multifamily properties in my own journey.