I'm planning on getting a couple of rental properties under my belt by the end of the year but definitely plan on staying in an apartment.

You won't make much, maybe 20k - 30k but now you have 1 under your belt and you get in another at the same level and in another three months you make another 20k - 30k and now you have 2 under your belt. 

Managing a rehab is no easy task, even with a ton of experience under your belt. 

As a side note: I watched a video of cities that people were fleeing, almost all in the rust belt.

I've seen this belt get tighter over time.

But if you're cleaning up your credit, accumulating some cash of your own and have a house or two under your belt, someone will be interested.

@George Blower Thanks for the extra info. 

@Corby Goade  as you noted this is totally market specific.in many markets housing for existing stock is still a magnitude less than what you can buy existing stock for rendering lots valueless.. think most bigger inner city hoody type areas of the mid west and rust belt and deep south.That all said the major difference is virtually EVERY HML does rehab loans..

At one of my SFH, I even rent them a mower & snow blower for $120 annually.  

Once you have your first buy and hold purchase under your belt, you can start reinvesting.