So I recommend that you invest aggressively (based on your risk tolerance) to grow your money via appreciation investments (in real estate, these would be double digit annual returns such as flips or being a hard money lender) and once you attain the level of cash you need to be financially independent, then you invest into income producing assets (in real estate this would be buy and hold properties and long term Private Money lending).I hope this gives you some food for thought. 

Milwaukee has seen steady high single digit appreciation over the lat 8 years. 

They avoid getting into a hot market because they are waiting for the "crash" only to miss out on double digit gains.

Also, Samuel, the Birmingham AIA real estate investors association has started a new presence in Baldwin County and I believe there is a meeting Sept 28th. 

Depending on the exact location is the said property, some markets are seeing as high as double digit appreciation rate thus selling might be the most financial benefiting play.

Both are generating consistent double digit returns (10-12%) paid out quarterly.

.^^^ The buyer (reported to me to be from Germany), who signed a digital closing but what not at the closing with the title company - one line he was suppose to sign was blank -- this at the title company.  

The largest employers here are the state, university of texas, and then the high tech industry.I used to work for DPR which has a strong presence where you are.

That being said, I can't recall ever seeing a true double-digit residential "as-is" property (with accurate capex and maintenance calculations) that I would buy and hold for 10-30 years.

@Maurice BlackledgeI know you're looking for rentals specifically , but take into consideration mobile home investing (specifically called Lonnie deals) for double digits returns and usually better cash flow than rentals .