In fact I got 15 year loans to pay a lot interest rate and just sent all their income in to paying them off. 

On average, you will spend 10% of your income on maintenance per year.

Investors should keep an eye on its growing infrastructure and amenities.Huntersville: A family-friendly suburb with excellent schools and amenities, Huntersville is a solid choice for long-term appreciation.Davidson: A charming college town, Davidson offers steady appreciation and attracts higher-income tenants.Belmont: This small town near Charlotte offers more appreciation potential than cash flow, driven by its desirability and quaint atmosphere.Neighborhoods Offering Both Cash Flow & AppreciationConcord: A tricky yet rewarding market, Concord can provide both cash flow and appreciation.

Expanding your portfolio, streamlining tenant management, diversifying income streams, building a network, and planning for growth are also recommended.

My goal would be to build an investment net with passive income, de-risking the fact that I am the only earner.  

In Georgia, it's relatively quick to evict, but you've lost substantial income before its over. 

I also agree that there have been so many syndicators who's deals have dried up and they have resorted to teaching/mastermind as a source of income. 

Gifting equity in a house may be more trouble than it is worth if you are not near the life-time exclusion1) Potentially having to get the property appraised everytime an equity is gifted2) Having a title company update the title every time3) Exemption of the gift tax return is normally for cash gifts below the annual gift tax exclusion, you may still need to file if you gift non-cash4) If there is partial ownership over several years, having to properly pro-rate certain items such as real estate taxes, mortgage interest and rental income if the property is a rentalBest of luck 

Take the average household income in an area of working class residents. 

TheLoss of Rents is for the loss of Rental income if the tenants can not occupy the houseafter a covered loss.5.