When comparing a home that rents for 1500 and cashflows 200/month with average rent increases of 2% per year, as opposed to a similar priced home in a different location that initially breaks even at 1300/month rent with 0 cashflow but a 4% annual rent increase, the second home catches up to the first on a yearly cashflow basis after roughly 8 years, and surpasses the first one in terms of total cashflow achieved in about 15 years. 

You maybe in for an unintended catch-22.

Good catch. 

I inspect mine 3x year and catch a lot of problems that would otherwise go unreported.I can't make you do them, I can only discuss the MANY advantages, low cost, and success I've had doing it.  

Personally, I'm trying to make the numbers work on 2-4's in South austin (78745) because we are seeing the rent outpace prices there right now and I suspect the value will catch up in the next 18 months.Cash flow in year 1 is hard in Austin unless you have significant equity on day 1.

My goal for this land is to build a storage facility from shipping containers. I found a super cheap commercial lot, 1.5k for 2 acres. It's close to a few schools and a lot of homes, not too far from freeway exits. Th...

Cashflow is tough in this market on a single family that you're buying directly to rent out - rent prices take a few years to catch up to housing prices.

They're very seasonal but they can be real money if you happen to catch one at the time you need it.

I am not saying you cant find a deal over there and I am not saying you cant have some good luck and catch a good tenant but if you pay attention to overall stats and opinions of people who have experience there with more than 10 houses, they will tell you to stay East of Highway 61. 

If they're thinking, I'll do the accounting and my sister Sally will handle maintenance, but Sally doesn't want to get involved, you'll want to catch that early on.