Be a Bird Dog for awhile until you figure it out, then climb the food chain to be a wholesaler, then Buy-FixUp-Rent/Sell.3.

I think they just aren't talked about quite as much because cash flow is what puts food on the table.Just running a quick example through my spreadsheet:$100k purchase, $1100/mo rent, $2400/taxes, $600/yr insurance, $1500/yr maintenance, paid in cash yields 7.64% return on your cash or $7,644/yr of cash flow.

Take answers from out of county and out of state with a grain of salt.I can tell you for example that anyone offering advice based exclusively on property taxes in my home state of California should be completely ignored unless this property is also in CA.

The guidelines should be taken with a grain of salt - - one rule does not fit all cases.A better approach is to research the FMR for you city, locale, and even your school district. 

I believe there is no one way to do real estate investment, really depends on your skill plus luck & timing to bring it together and there are many ways to this food chain. 

Make it fun, reward friends help with drinks and food, as well as yourself. 

I'm formerly in the food and beverage industry as well and right up the road in Old Town Scottsdale.

Food for thought.

Remember, though, I'm a total newb here, so take everything I say with a grain of salt.

Just food for thought.