$6k per month and $30,000 to get it going and it cash flowed about $20k a month. 

I went all in, I had a few 401K’s so I cashed in the one that was growing the slowest and took the penalty and purchased my first property.

Is your family member looking for a lot of cash upfront on the sale?

Cash flow might take a bit of a back seat but building a team you can trust and building experience are top priorities in my eyes.

Purchase price: $130,000 Cash invested: $9,000 Sale price: $185,000 I did not have the knowledge then to keep the property and pull money out to complete renovations to another property we purchased a year after this one that required a complete overhaul.

I would find a property that can provide you both.I used to aim for 8% cash on cash return + 4% appreciationGiven where the market is now, it is likely hard to find 8% cash-on cash and a 4% appreciation.I think 4% cash-on cash and 4% appreciation is do-able.

Well, a lot of life happened and now I am getting back to zero no debt and I'll be renting for now and I am considering a duplex to buy cash or maybe land and some sort of unconventional home but still purchasing cash.

Open to cash flowing properties too if the numbers are right. 

For example, the estimated cash flow RTR shows is usually higher than what I calculate.How about the initial investment?

Capital gains are calculated as:Sale Price - (Original Purchase Price + Capital Improvements + Selling Costs) - depreciation (if applicable) = Capital GainYour mortgage or HELOC balance does not affect this calculation—it only determines how much cash you take home after the sale.In Massachusetts, if the home was your primary residence for at least 2 out of the last 5 years, you may qualify for the Section 121 Exclusion, allowing you to exclude up to $250,000 (single) or $500,000 (married filing jointly) of the gain from federal capital gains tax.