However, here is the problem...Most of the properties I am looking at, when renting out the other half, would break even on cash flow, or run me around $100-$150 in the negative each month.

I want to break into investing in income properties, and build wealth over the next phase of my life.

I don't have to deal with anything if something breaks, I don't have to shovel snow, and if I ever want to move I can just pack up and move with a couple months notice.

They are breaking their current lease and moving out after 6 months.Would you rent to them if they are breaking their current lease?

Other benefits include Tenants refer other tenants (because they are treated right) and those referrals are usually in good financial standing as well, tenants are not as "quick to blame the landlord" when something breaks and maintenance requests actually decrease because they have a positive image of landlord and try to fix minor repairs, it also shows throughout the company the attitude of owners and that this is not just a numbers business but a PEOPLE BUSINESS.

Standard depreciation is where you depreciate the value of the house (minus an estimated value of the land) over 27.5 years.Accelerated depreciation is where you break up the key components of the house (i.e. roof, floors, windows, hvac, etc) and depreciate them over the IRS' acceptable lifespans of each one.  

Assuming you purchase the place and hold it, you're in at 85% LTV on a place that is going to basically be a break-even for rents. 

House is about 16' above grade so they went almost to China to do the R/R.Our home is on a slab and when pipes in the slab leak/break, the common solution is to go up an exterior wall into the attic and across-n-down to each fixture. 

There are other good uses of old structures for firefighter training that may not help you solve your problem but are difficult to simulate due to their destructive nature such as forcible entry (ie breaking down doors) and vertical ventilation (cutting holes in roofs) that you might mention when trying to sell your idea.  

If $23 bucks will break you, you're not ready to invest in real estate, imo.