Yes, some locations are better than others but it all comes down to price, condition & what you can get in rental prices to ensure you have both income & equity in the property you are buying. 

Kept getting frustrated things were not moving quickly enough and went back to corporate jobs.

Another method they can use is the income method or the cost to build.

This includes the rental income, PM fee, any repairs, etc.

I'd try to find family/friends/network that would want to come in with you on it and share in the income.

When evaluating rental properties, aside from school districts and convenience, consider factors like neighborhood amenities (parks, restaurants, shopping), rental demand, job market trends, property condition, potential for appreciation, and rental income compared to expenses (including taxes, insurance, and maintenance).

I believe there are income requirements and this has to be your primary residence. 3.5% down is the minimum.

I would recommend LLC with its own bank account to keep expenses and income separate.

If you have self employment or gig jobs you need 2022 and 2023 IRS taxes filed and all the pages/1099/w-2/LLC/Corp/personal and 2024 income.

.• Rental Income: Determine potential rental income for each unit.• Expenses: Estimate operating expenses including property taxes, insurance, utilities, maintenance, vacancies, and property management fees.• Financing: Explore options like FHA loans, conventional loans, or portfolio loans.• Cash Flow Analysis: Use a tool or spreadsheet to calculate projected cash flow.Based on your estimate of $300 per month in cash flow, make sure to verify that this aligns with your financial goals and risk tolerance.