Do you have any cash available to buy an investment at this time?

After crunching the numbers I'd be cash flowing around $600-700/month if I hire a full service manager (and this is without accounting for any repairs, which it does need).

Edna~ I know you are looking to invest in cities closest to the Canadian border, however, I would encourage you to cast a wider net as you can find some excellent cash-flowing properties throughout the SE USA. 

EXAMPLEYou cash out $100,000 of your equity and use this as a down payment on a $400,000 investment property.

Actual Cash Value:  The definition is the Replacement Cost minus depreciation.  

Purchase price: $195,000 Cash invested: $35,000 Single Family home near Lake Texoma.

I think this program is an incredible way for new young investors who might make under the income limit, to house hack in high cost areas, which will appreciate well, and then afterward they can buy more rental property potentially in cash flow areas.   

I'll keep just enough cash in my brick and mortar banks to make two months expenses and put all the rest into the online accounts with high interest savings.

As for going back to work, I had a very successful investor tell me that you need to have constant cash in the beginning of your REI career.

In my experience the cash flow in the summer is strong enough to justify shutting a beach property down for the off-season.