I get that some of these areas are probably cash flowing well, at least on paper, because houses are so cheap but I'm more interested in equity and appreciation plays.

If a condo is worth $100,000, and a house in the same area is worth $200,000, then the owner of a condo would have $5000 in equity, whereas the owner of a house would have $10,000.

When you purchase and/or renovate a property below it's market price, you have created equity or "matched" your contribution. ( If you put 10K down and gain 5K in equity you have a 50% equity "match")It is a capital gain, just like it would be in the 401K, but you can later access that money through lines of credit, second mortgages, or an outright sale (making it a long term capital gain at worst, or a 1031 exchange at best). 

The idea iv had here is a lot in the 30k range and a doublewide in the 50k range which would probably have 30k in equity instantly in it.

My best deal gave me 18k over my total cost, but since I supply all of my labor, Im simply paying myself to work.I have 4 properties now, the 4 combined properties cash flow over 1k/month and they have $101k in equity after the 80% financing.The cash outs at the end are my income to pay bills, along with the monthly cash flow from the properties.

It really does not make sense.I am trying to figure out the last time I saw someone from any of these midwest/south states say "I have 200K in equity in my property.

The loan is at $110,000 with $20,000 in equity.

One approach is to by in a C+ area get good cashflow and watch over time as your property may become a hot bed for flipping, so now you increase in equity as well.

Master in Equity... two differnt games.

As of right now he lives in a mobile home with 30 to 40k in equity.