Remember: Harvests  - long cycle time, cash flow = monthly ROI. 

I finally asked her to put a bunch of towels on top of the washer and I would wash them through a cycle.  

It all goes in cycles. 

Investing in hot markets and capitalizing on different cities' cycles can definitely work out great, just as long as you don't spread yourself out too thin.

Although there is not rule of thumbs here is one that will get you in the right magnitude. 5 dollar /SF for light10 for medium15 for heavyObviously use an economic and geographic multiplier on where you are in the economic cycle/season and perhaps 2x it if you are in Seattle.

What I'm trying to get my head round is how I can use this cash for a down payment on an investment property.My current outline of a plan is this:Get the cash into my bank accountLet it season there for a couple months Use it for a down payment on a good cash flowing propertyFind a deal that ensures the cash flows enough each year to eventually give back whatever I use in 4 years timeGive back the cash back in 4 years, after 4 years, the cash flow I am now making is mine to reinvest.Now, the questions I have are:Am I right in thinking I would need to call this money a 'gift' and season it for a couple billing cycles? 

They tend to make money no matter what the cycle is in that asset class.Maybe you buy something all cash with a value add component to it.

Your bill should show how much water was used, number of days in the billing cycle, and how the charges break down.

Every property will have a defaulting tenant at some point in its life cycle.

At the end of the day, I can be afraid of the cycle - or I can get started and see how things pan out.