Quote from @Jeff Shaver: Current investment property in San Diego brings in $5K a month, my net after mortgage/PM/etc. is around $650.

Or an experienced flipper/rehabber.What you don't want to do is bring in partners who are just like you.

In NELA it will bring in over $2k/mo, it cost $110k to build(sweat equity obviously).

In Ohio, older homes might bring hidden maintenance costs, so that $20k reserve will come in handy. 

if you are renting is it inexpensive and therefore creating cashflow out of state can bring you closer to a net zero cost of living?

If you want to avoid partnerships, bring them as lending partners vs equity partners.This post does not create a CPA-Client relationship.

Gotta have some skin in the game. 

I personally like one sponsor who has been through multiple real estate cycles without losing any investor money, puts very large amounts of skin in the game, is conservatively leveraged and has a very good 1031 exchange program.

To beat 5.25% mortgage rate....the corresponding, offsetting stock market return would be at least double that...It depends on what you think the future brings.

That helps bring back down you debt to income level.