Ultimately, any money I saved was wiped out from city violations from an un-kept lawn.But above all – Alex’s comment above says it perfectly. 

Thanks for posting the above, saved me some time.

It looks like you're already in Birmingham, so a quick drive around the neighborhood shouldn't be an issue and can save you a lot of headache in the end.If the Calera property adds up without relying on appreciation, and you have already done due diligence on what the rehab consisted of, who's selling it and what their performance metrics are like (tenant turnover, maintenance rate, occupancy etc) then that is the best of your two current options.

Hello,I am looking for a little advice on the best way to use a couple of different types of money towards down payments of a couple of properties that we want to buy at pretty much the same time (retiring landlord selling portfolio).

Rochelle is the geographic middle between our two jobs.Not as much opportunity in Rochelle (pop 10,000) but I'm:15 mins from Dekalb 25 mins from Rockford Adjacent45 mins from Naperville/Aurora45 mins from LaSalle/Peru (Cassie's work location)1 hour from Janesville/Beloit (My work location)We're open to cast a wider net if the opportunity arises.Currently we're saving approximately $5,000 every two months for down payments and listening to the BP podcasts on our commutes.

Throughout the years, we've saved a significant amount of money, by being debt free other than our mortgage.  

But now, must start from scratch again (or with however much you've kept or saved).There is NO scaling of paid-full-price-borrowed-too-much investments.

He also offers discount codes to save some $ too.

For me I want close to a 25% cash on cash return to put my money in, but there are lots of people that are ok with a lot less (CD's, stock market, savings accounts).  

This is like a forced savings where these funds will accumulate until you need to make a Capital Expenditure (roofing, replace hvac, road work, etc).Getting private money lenders at 4% for 6 years is very unrealistic.