Those 7 years were cash positive, but we just weren't making enough cash flow to make it worth the trouble. 

I will take that over 200.00 a month positive cash flow :)  All the while running my Capital Partner business and funding over 120 deals a year for my hand picked clients. lThat's a nice combination.

This figure represents the highest employment rate ever recorded in Italy, indicating a positive trend despite remaining below the EU average. https://www.statista.com/topics/12899/employment-in-italy/2. 

I think it's unrealistic that I would buy a 100+ unit property for my first GP position.

or just explain as in a demand.it this 40k gross or Net.average rentals these days produce either negative cash flow or 100 to 200 to 500 a month positive depends on how much you put down. if you pay cash much higher.but lets do average 200 month positive and lets say you meant to ask NET cash flow to live on. then you need to take 40k divide by 200.00 and there you go you need 200 doors .

There are a few programs that can do second position financing but typically underwritten based on your personal income.

Inflation will push up rents over time, so at some point you will be cash flow positive.

Any insights, advice, or strategies from those who’ve been in a similar position would be greatly appreciated.

How many tenants will you lose not because they didn't like the property but they didn't like your tenant selection.Remember my first point FLEXIBILITY, well if you decide to bail on the rent by the room, it is more unlikely that you can cashflow positive with a SFH than a duplex in Austin TX if you move out of the property.  

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.