My dream is to have the freedom to pursue my passions for people leadership, engineering, and a healthy lifestyle outside of the corporate ladder.

That's the problem because you have no ultimate control of your property and it's a sign that you're treated second class compared to the locals .

Reinvest whatever money you save on taxes via depreciation back into more real estate or property improvements to continue increasing the size and quality of your portfolio.4.

What about class D properties?

Hi guys, I'm a property manager of a small portfolio of new construction townhomes.

You cannot deny them because you don't want an animal on the property.

If it's cash flow, I’d recommend looking at C areas with B properties (higher-end of the low market), but if you're after equity, think C properties in B+ areas.

But the steps are the same, just find a property where you ca make the numbers work and that has good upside and go for it. repeat that as soon as you have the downpayment for the next one and keep going. 

@Benjamin Miller whether you have money or don't, your first challenge is researching what market to invest in and what property class.Then, even without money, you can still educate yourself about that market, so you really know what a "deal" looks like.

I'm just starting out.You can also hire a property manager for direct real estate and have someone oversee them, making direct ownership more passive.