It's as useful as stories about how someone else found their true love.However, it's worth discussing your specific circumstances and goals one-on-one with a good tax or financial advisor.

I hope to be in your shoes with a strong portfolio and financial freedom within the same time frame. 

I have several options and a good understanding of out of the box financial maneuvering.  

We do have properties that have achieved the infinite return over a longer duration (due to market appreciation).Congrats on a great purchases, being in a financial position to pull it off, and putting yourself in position to pull it off. 

If you were experienced and had the financial backing this would be a different story.

5) When it comes to investing in real estate, you have to research various strategies and  start with one that makes sense the most for your personally (time-wise, financially and personally).

The documentation that my lenders require are typically tax returns (last 2 years), rent roll of all properties, personal financial statement, and leases on the subject property. 

These are the relationships that will propel all of us on the road to financial freedom !

Now obviously I know that a roof/furnace would alter this number, but overall it's a huge gain.401(k):Now assume that I take that same $18,000 that I used for the rental property but instead max out my 401(k).

My role beyond the financial investment is property management.