It didn't turn out so bad for me, free education, promoted from E-1 to O-3 in under ten years, Did I mention I get to drive a 13K ton ship through 20 feet of ice in Antarctica!

@Joe Villeneuve@Bob Bowlingyou guys are both right... in the mid west markets were appreciation is icing on the cake and rarely if ever happens and actually depreciation of rentals is common.. then of course buying negative cash flow would be financially unwiseIn CA ( the better areas )  negative cash flow is perfectly fine as appreciation over time and super hot rental market will over time out shine small monthly positive cash flow amounts.

---------------------------If you do decide to provide a fridge, I would recommend avoiding one that has an ice maker.

If that happens to occur, then that's just icing. 

v=ITtlxjvLQis (creative homemade ice chest air cooler)Something to note, make sure the electrical circuit you plug the AC unit into is rated to handle the number of amps that are drawn on it.

So its more than just Appreciation is the icing on the Cake its an integral part of creating wealth in Real Estate..

If you put 20% down you have financial leverage of 5-to-1 on 6% average appreciation, which is 30% return, and that is before considering cash flow which is the "icing on the cake".

Amazon just opened a warehouse in Livonia with millions in giveaways for taxes.The Illitch's finally built their new hockey arena, then they convinced the Pistons to leave Auburn Hills to downtown, the practice facility and all 500 employees for basketball operations.

You won't get far asking for money right out of the gate anyway, so this not only makes it easy to approach people, but it also breaks the ice and allows the conversation to work toward borrowing and lending more naturally.  

Wireless income (towers, ground lease, etc.) is icing on the cake.