Cali is mostly an Equity Play state.

I've also built and seen others build a lot of equity in that time.Purchase: $80k-$130kRent: $1100-$1500 (no rent control in MI)1% rule: 1%-1.4% rule dealsROI: 10-14%Cash flow: $150-$300/door (after all expenses and budgeting for maint, capex, vacancy)Appreciation: 3-10%+ (has been double digit for a decade)Location: C+, B-These numbers are based on the "sweet spot" in Metro Detroit.

Currently have 4 rental properties and a good amount of equity which could allow me to break into larger real estate (multifamily, self storage, luxury str).

Then once they are rented out, I leverage the equity created and the rent coming in to use a DSCR loan to pull my money invested back out.

If you live in it, depending on your tax position these carrying costs may or may not be deductible.  

There are a few types of people who will buy your end of line flips….1) Those that will only buy truly safe … battle born… “equity the day I buy”.. opportunities And/or2) those that were trained to see real estate investing as a much more risky “ investment”… in other words  “ a buy that “SHOULD” have value after appreciation”With Buyer group #1… if you provide truly investor grade deals that haven’t been stripped of most of the equity before you try to flip, you will build a following of investor grade buyers that WILL pay cash and CAN close “ as soon as the title search is done”… This will net smaller nets for you initially , but you will own a REAL Buyers list… that WILL have the experience… to REALLY CLOSE ASAP.And that will make your machine run MUCH more smoothly.Or2) you can initially max out your net on a few deals as you scape out most of the equity for yourself… but you will only be working with non experienced buyers.. who will buy ….one… realize that they are in WAY too deep… have no B plan.. and they will be FAR less likely to buy again… AND they may never even make it to your first closing .So.. your choice… cultivate a crop of GREAT slam dunk , low work load real buyer investors…. where all you need to do is find the property , mark it up a LITTLE ..and we do all of the rest of the work…Or sew a crop of weeds…I do spend a little bit of my time asking wholesalers to take me off of their lists.I would love to buy from you.I don’t want to spend my time doing the initial marketing.I am willing to pay for your valueBut I don’t buy properties that don’t have TWO exit strategies1) enough equity AT CLOSING so that, at the very least I could sell it TODAY without taking a loss…..AND2) after my expertise …. 

I have substantial capital in the public equities markets and would like to diversify my investments, so that is the reason for wanting to do this. 

@Danny Van- thanks  1) if you have some equity in the property - you might consider getting a HELOC in place now  in case you  want to use any  equity in the future ...Its  easier to get a heloc in place on a primary home as compared to a rental  2) contact your insurance agent and  ask for an  estimate for how the insurance coverage and premium will  change  3) consider  a proeprty management firm if you dont want to  self  manage  4)  get any forms and  processes  in place  (  leases / credit checks / bank accounts/  etc ....)

Long term, however, I think it does look quite bright for equity appreciation and rent prices.

Your return on equity is very low based on those numbers provided so yes, some action needs to take place whether it be adding square footage, new construction, or 1031ing.