Does it look like a modern-ish apartment with breezeways and internal stairs, or is it built like a roadside motel with long walk ways along the front.  

This is a great first step into your financial future.

In today's competitive real estate market, having modern amenities can set your property apart, making it more attractive to a wider audience.

Since this opportunity came up, I've begun to take real estate more seriously as a path to financial freedom.

-------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

While the initial years might not be financially lucrative, the knowledge and skills you acquire will be invaluable.

Too bad you can't buy something owner-occupied, put 5% down with the best interest rate, live in it for 12 months (and fix it up), rent it out and repeat the cycle.Here's some other info you might find useful:----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?

If you need financial help, ask under the "Finance, Tax, and Legal" forum.

So basically in my mind this would not be a great financial move as we be accruing about 200k more in debt if we were to sell one house and take the cash from there and use it as a down payment.

Quote from @Michael Smythe: @Jerry NoguerasRecommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a property in Class D area to Class A standards, what quality of tenant will you get?