@Stephen Fleming your cashflow probably won't be what you think it will be:(Have you factored in the new property taxes at homestead millage rates?

If you need financial help, ask under the "Finance, Tax, and Legal" forum.

I'll save you the details but...Per door cost: $63,300All in Cost: 700kTotal Revenue: 137k(ish) annuallyNOI: 65-73% (in the expenses we included: insurance, taxes, $75/month per door repair expense, management fee 8%, grass cutting, & a misc fund for random crap business license, etc.)Now...

In California there is $800 franchise tax per LLC per year, which discourages a lot of RE investors from getting an LLC.

@Apryl Skahill To get your risk-averse spouse on board with real estate investing, start by educating him with beginner-friendly resources that highlight the long-term stability, cash flow potential, and tax benefits of real estate, such as depreciation deductions and offsetting W-2 income.

I truly think I only need 4 more houses to hit my goal and then shift from buying to paying them off.I am not sure if I am thinking about this the right way and I am sure there are things I am not thinking about but below are my thoughts:Pros - I can purchase the houses I need to hit my goal faster - With getting homes fasters the depreciation, tax benefits, amortization, appreciation, rent increases all start sooner - Home prices on average should be lower now then if I buy in 4-5 years - I can take better advantage of leverageCons - I have more risk until I pay the properties off - Less upfront cashflow - Longer timeframe to acquire the properties to reach my goalIf anyone has any opinions or advice I'd love to hear it.

This might make sense, but again, you are just deferring the taxes and now pushing tax from capital gains to ordinary income. 

I'm starting out doing redeemable tax deeds and going to auctions where everybody has "bigger pockets" than I do.

Taxes are private, 1099 are private.  

Note the property tax will be -10% on the rent by itself.Month 0 to 24: $2450 * 0.5 - $1573 =-$348/monthMonth 24 to 60: $2450 * 0.5 - $1541 =-$316/monthNext issue is due to the low leverage starting at month 24, the ROI takes a beating.