They sell you a package to enter and then find you people to stay and never paid you back!

Everyone will tell you it’s great to get started early, or you can just move after a year, but in the current environment in our region the rent your property will generate after you move out will likely be less than your mortgage, if you are tied to the area and feel confident you want to stay in whatever property you buy for 3-5 years go for it, if you want flexibility rent and throw that money into and index fund. 

I'd love to stay in touch and keep track of how you're doing as well!

Quote from @Johnny Lynum: Quote from @Billy Smith: I like SFH in the A-B area rent it you do the  upkeep  doing as much as possible your self to help max your rent out .I like to pay down the note as fast as possible .If in a C-D area I would flip the SFH wash your hands of it.SFH are generally easier to unload if you get in a cash crunch, I like staying in the first time home buyers level of a SFH  keeping it in a hot zone .If I were a BIG fish I would do deals at various level's of course after  doing the home work . 

There are more complicated strategies to maximize larger listings that involve having like multiple listings for same property and do individual room rentals when it is slower and then for larger length stays, larger groups, and more desirable dates you'd book the whole space, but I think its easier to just do two separate. 

Or what markets you want to stay in? 

If you’re thinking of branching out, cities like Austin or San Antonio are worth considering, but staying local has its perks too.

If you stayed with your parents for $0, then you have say, negative cash flow of $1,750. 

I've stayed in many.

Regular maintenance updates from your property manager—such as quarterly reports outlining requests, costs, and resolutions—can also help you stay informed and track spending trends over time.Building relationships with local contractors or networking with other investors in Cleveland can also be valuable.