There are also multiple dry rotted boards where the legs of our chairs / shoe heels have gone through."

Consider property types, low down payment financing options, cash flow calculation, tenant screening, and property upgrades.

The cash flow always appears better in C and D locations.

Check out Zillow hottest housing market of 2024: https://www.axios.com/2024/01/10/zillow-ranking-hottest-real…Cleveland is a great market to focus on for cash flow.

I find myself getting too attached to the cash flow numbers that it has prevented me from taking action.

Think through the scenarios - could you comfortably handle two months of vacancy while needing to replace an appliance & prep the unit before next tenant moves in (> $10k)? 

I'm currently working on scaling up quickly through purchasing large SFR portfolios and/or apartments, and I've spoken to a few sellers willing to carry back a seller 2nd note of 20-30% (i.e. the down payment).

We've found the most success the midwest and southeast in markets that still cash flow very well, but also see strong appreciation in both rents and home values.I think you are off to a great start to research a new market to invest in. 

Going forward, I'm going to invest in real estate with a specific purpose and intention, cash flow. 

I go through all my parts obtaining private funding, getting contractors set up (meeting dozens of them to find the right ones), and I’m about to get my civil engineers plans for the addition as well to propose to the town the day after closing.