However, there are properties an hour or two away that are cheaper so I wouldn't use up all my savings and still produce cash flow.

Many have high producing income jobs.  

An appartment building may also not be the highest and best use for a commercial lot; might be better suited for hospitality, gas station, parmacy etc and produce more revenue this way.

It is too early to tell how this sector will perform, even after a vaccine is produced.

But still just couldn't move to the next level.After reading this book the second time I was struck by the story with the gold mine that stopped producing gold.

Producer Price Index.

Historically, my model has been to buy properties that have been mismanaged, and where there is value to add by bringing competent business/management skills to the asset to get it producing more efficiently.

They were produced by Member @Alexander Felice he may chime in and give a link.

It depreciates and produces no income.If you have available equity, as you do, to tap into to generate a rate of return from a portfolio of income producing real estate then that is often a great strategy.

(result - producing - activities)