No mater how little you think you make W2 / 1040 you can cut costs as Corby suggests, put savings into an account and start buying rentals. 

Then, if our daughter didn't get into a good school in 5 years, we could move to a better school district and hopefully not lose much if any on the sale of the building....or simply keep in and continue renting.So to keep this long post from getting too long, for those of you familiar w/ this type of property in KC, is that realistic?

Hi South Bend BP friends,I am looking for a reasonable (ok cheap) contractor to cut the grass at my 20 unit in South Bend, IN.

Housing prices don't simply come down because they are "high". 

That said, you must stay away from cheap properties in wrong neighborhook; its  a nightmare unless you have the experience and skills to deal with such...for me it is not worth it...my opinionThe so called turn keys are mostly lipstick on the pig...most providers do not do proper rehab work; of course they are cutting cost to maximize profit and so you really do not blame them....You are not sure what you are buying...I made that mistake in my first rental proeperty.

If the expense ratio is below 50%, it's an indication that the syndicator may be overly aggressive on either achievable rent growth or on cutting expenses.Watch the fees as well.  

If the dividend yield is way too high (too good to be true), I conclude the market has figured out the company is in trouble and is going to cut its dividend soon.

Thing is, this house was poorly remediated, they didn't cut high enough or even let all the furniture, belongs, etc. to air out.

My first project was simply renting our townhouse while our house was being built but that's not what I'm here to discuss!

That'd be cutting it pretty close.