Does the cost have to be out of my pocket to depreciate it over its life?

That may or may not be a new build, likely not.The beauty of buying the existing older home is that your inspection will uncover needed repair items and life expectancies of your capital items.

And I guess learning thru books and hopefully later thru real life will make me better.As for my assumptions, yes I'm sounding a bit niave.

I want to control numerous bigger apartment complexes (100-150 units per complex) in c neighborhoods.As far as financials go, i'm doing well.

I have numerous emails from the tenant telling me she will pay me or how she doesn't have the money.

Heck, if you're passionate about investing, working hard, and life in general, I'd like to connect with you regardless of where you're located.

I've helped numerous Investors over the years and now want to start buying my own properties.

My net is significantly less due to numerous pre-tax expenses (Daycare FSA, Health FSA, retirement, etc etc) we gross around $56,000, a large difference from what I first posted.As far as SFH vs. multi-unit, I can certainly understand the desire for multi and the increased cash flow, however at the moment I don't feel we are up for the task.

Better to ask a dumb question and look dumb now than find myself looking dumb in a real life situation.

If you wait until everything is perfect, life will go by fast and you may be really old, like 30. :-) I wish you success!