While the cost of actual ownership due to interest rates may be lower than historical averages, you still need to get there first and purchase the house.My attempt was/is to supplement your analysis. 

This info will give you a decent idea of what to expect and help filter down your search to a few cities.Some of the metrics that I find valuable to understand are:- Population - Home Values- Household Incomes- Rental Vacancy Rate- Homeowner Vacancy Rate- Poverty Rate- Educational Attainment Rate (High School/GED & Bachelors)- Number of Housing Unit- Rent to Income Ratio- Rent to Price Ratio- Population on SNAPS (supplemental nutrition assistance program) percentage- Property Tax Rate- Median Age of Buildings- Number of Structures by Units (SFR, Duplex, Triplex, Quadplex, etc...)- Median Rents by Number of Bedrooms- Unemployment Rate- Employment Sectors Percentages These are just some of the indicators that will help you understand the quality of an area as well as the kinds of returns one is to except.

What is the risk tolerance that’s required in Dave Ramsey’s portfolio to achieve the returns that will grow his assets enough so that just a 4-5% withdrawal rate in retirement will suffice his supplement income goal in retirement?

You can argue that nobody stays on welfare for $1,000 a month but the truth is there are a lot of people that take that $1,000 a month and then spend their free time hustling for cash, dealing drugs, or otherwise supplementing their lifestyle without Uncle Sam knowing.I used to work for the state.

Have my home free and clear, have a family lake cabin free and clear, be able to take 2-3 months off every year during the holiday dead season, and eventually generate $40k+ / yr in semi-passive rental property income to supplement the cyclicality of the business!

@Ryan O'Hara  as you realize you have to move her closer to market, the shock of market rent is something she is going to experience sooner or later unless you are willing to supplement her long term.

Hello,I have 18 years of commercial construction project management and development experience and looking to get into residential real estate investing to make a buck and supplement my retirement fund so I can enjoy being an old geezer.

I really want to find a way to supplement my income but I don't think New York is the right state to do it in.

The main purpose of getting into investing is to pay off existing debt and to supplement our retirement with passive income from rental properties.We are excited to be here!

My goal is to use my income from my job to supplement some real estate investing until I can accumulate enough passive income to quit and enjoy the freedom to be with my family.