Not sure if it's worth it to gain the extra appreciation while also having to manage multiple properties that are a bit of a drive away and have unknown maintenance requirements.

Most people drive miles to work, or work out of the house. 

What about drive approaches, parking lots, site lights, landscape, irrigation, etc.? 

Yes, the bi-yearly nit picky inspections can drive me crazy, (torn screen , etc) but in the long run it’s worth it.

Directed marketing to pre-foreclosures, a website with seo, networking, driving for $$, go to some local meetings.

If you don't learn to manage your investment well, you will eventually destroy your property, lose money, waste your time, or drive yourself insane.

@Joel Lebovits the neighborhoods closer to the downtown area of Canton are more run down, with more vacant/distressed houses.The farther you drive away from downtown the nicer the houses get, in general.

@Marie CopulHunker down and pare down your lifestyle expenses as much as possible so you can replace what you need as quickly as possible.I did have a client take down a 57 unit mixed use apartment deal that added $1.1M to his net worth and $180k a year in cash flow in 12 months but those types of results are not typical.However, some type of commercial real estate would be my suggestion and one where you are driving the ship so you keep most if not all the equity.I have some ideas for you and would be happy to talk you through them.

@Wade Wisner Jacksonville has seen some significant changes over the years, with pockets of revitalization and a strong influx of new buyers driving growth.

There is also a significant investment happening in the Buckeye area that should drive appreciation in that part of town in the coming years although currently I would classify that area more as a C- or D+ depending on the street.Best of luck to you!