Not a rookie - While I have never purchased a home without an agent, I have purchased two homes in the last fifteen years in Denver and, at some point, managed both with some form of rental income, plus helping my mom manage the independent basement apartment in her home.

5unit is probably manageable.  20 unit is work I would think. 

I started my career with the renovations team renovating the houses we buy, and with the property management company working with our residents and our maintenance teams.

However, there's a critical detail that many tax advisors conveniently overlook when promoting these studies.Here's the uncomfortable truth: If you're a high-income earner (AGI > $150,000) and not actively managing your properties, those promised tax savings might be locked away for years.

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.

However, they approach financial health from different angles.The 50% Rule is a quick estimate that suggests operating expenses (excluding mortgage principal and interest) will roughly equal 50% of the property's gross income.The DSCR is a more precise calculation (Net Operating Income / Total Debt Service) that determines if a property generates enough income to cover its debt obligations.Deal example:- Class C middle class neighborhood- 4bd / 2ba single family house- ARV: 190k- Purchase: 105k- Rehab: 35k- Market rent: $1,400-1,525- Section 8: $1,475- Property manager: 10%- Taxes: 125 month- Insurance $1250 yr- HOA: $55 month- purchased and rehabbed with all cash.

I think a better option is to get a job in property management.

I selected Lewiston for the post as I didn't see an Augusta option, but I do work all over the state.It was my family's property management business that brought me to Maine and sparked my interest in and passion for helping investors achieve their goals. 

As a property management company in Washington, we help owners navigate these challenges and optimize profitability if they want assistance analyzing their property or planning future strategies.

You know just as well as I do that the entry level SFH turn key model is nothing but a money grab for the turn key providers and PM's who ultimately manage the properties for them.