I already owed an SFH in Florida which provides me a cash flow. 

The location (schools, restaurants, crime, etc) is decent but nothing too promising in terms of appreciation (3% annual average) Here are the details: Purchase price: $170,000Rental Estimate per month: $1500HOA: $1000/yrInsurance: $1100/yrTax rate: ~3.4%I assumed the following:I use a 20% downpayment on a 30 year fixed conventional loan w/ 4% APRNew build so warranty is covering most things so minor, if any, maintenance will be neededTake into account 1 month of vacancy per yearTake into account annual broker fee to list of one months rent~5K closing costs~2k in appliance purchasesResult: Assuming rent range of $1500-$1550/month and assuming 1 year I wont have to pay the broker fee to list:From my cash flow analysis I am projecting to have positive cash flow of around .02%-2.1% per year. 

.#5: It's much easier to BORROW to buy property, vs. shares (and STILL obtain positive cash flow).

Ask anyone, especially cash flow investors around here, who would pay these crazy prices.In NYC, there's way too much money from overseas chasing too few properties.

First deal to get my feet wet in REI but have quick question.In contract with a property that I expect will cash flow $70-150/month (10% vacancy, 10% PM, $100/mo comb. capex/RM); cash return of 7-13%, excluding what I'd pay myself to self-manage.2/1, rentable condition, listed at 52, offered 32, in contract at 41.5. 

I'm in the "attempting to acquire more property" phase, so I'm willing to consider properties that cash flow.

In terms of investment areas, Plano and Richardson are pretty tough markets for a good cash flow property.

Matter of fact, if you switch to being a RE agent, then you are looking at 3 years-ish to establish cash flow for a bank.

The location (schools, restaurants, crime, etc) is decent but nothing too promising in terms of appreciation (3% annual average) Here are the details: Purchase price: $170,000Rental Estimate per month: $1500-$1550HOA: $1000/yrInsurance: $1100/yrTax rate: ~3.4%I assumed the following:I use a 20% downpayment on a 30 year fixed conventional loan w/ 4% APRNew build so warranty is covering most things so minor, if any, maintenance will be neededTake into account 1 month of vacancy per yearTake into account annual broker fee to list of one months rent~5K closing costs~2k in appliance purchasesResult: Assuming rent range of $1500-$1550/month and assuming 1 year I wont have to pay the broker fee to list:From my cash flow analysis I am projecting to have positive cash flow of around .02%-2.1% per year.

My current RE market of Portland, OR is insane right now for my specific goals of entry level SFR or MFR yielding cash flow.