I’m currently working on improving my financial position as to be ready to purchase a small multifamily property.

If the appraisal comes in low, the seller is under no obligation to lower their price.

I have always believed in the power of real estate as a means to financial freedom (my dad bought me Rich Dad Poor Dad when I was a kid).

You'll only see depreciation on your financial statements and your tax returns. 

I don't know what your financial situation is but early on after 5 properties (my primary plus 4 rentals) I hit a wall in qualifying. 

There is a BP podcast where Brad Dantonio talks about his financial independence while owning only 5 units!

I have 2 and 1/2 years left on my Army contract and my goal is to be financially free through passive income by the time that contract ends.

I have been doing a very slow crawl (while I clean up past financial mistakes & save cash for future successes) to get into the investment side, but have been working to gather some priceless experience along the way.We purchased our first home in 2005 and that became our very first rental in 2009!

Financially I can retire today...

Financially, it's helped big time, both short and long term.