When I was studying the financial aspects of real estate, I determined that that had the greatest potential for long term consistent growth with the least amount of input (time/miles) over an investing career.

I hail from Lake Worth, slightly north of you - I too am looking forward to the opportunities for growth with this community!

@James Wise regarding price, I'm going to start with a rubric used to price billboards (traffic count, competition, visibility, my own online subscriber base, etc.) and then think about the potential growth over the years.

It will help balance equity growth, cashflow, purchase and sales cost, and time in one equation.

I think I have two choices to accelerate growth: 1) cash out refi on my positive cash flow homes or 2) borrow money to acquire homes that have termite damage and missing air conditioners.  

It might be a good area for rental investment, but looks like the price is already high there.2) A SFH in suburban Los Angeles area, given the strong house price growth there.

I am thinking about hiring an employee (and family member) to help grow the company. 

We donate 10-15% to charity, consume 10% and reinvest the rest back into the business (more properties or capital improvements on existing ones) to speed it's growth.

Although you have to look at what you can stomach because there will be some time before you see growth.

I miss the big check paydays, but the long term growth is quite satisfying.