So many parts of your story resonate with me.

Welcome @Nathan CowanDefinitely listen to all the BP podcasts - they will expose you to a variety of different strategies and one may resonate with you.For me, I started flipping in Chicago (wanted to build up some capital) and am now starting to expand into rentals as well.Larry

@Nina Grayson  Your post about making your own calculator on excel, including average rehab costs (and then adjusting based on the buyer's needs), and being willing to take your minimum fee really resonated with me.

This is definitely doable if you can thread the needle of rents supporting the low down properties and you can sustain two mortgages at once.   

The most successful landlords are the ones who have great tenants with good relationships over a sustained period.

But, the quicker you figure out what area is of particular interest and focus on that, the greater the probability of long-term sustainable returns.I have the advantage of speaking with, looking at the balance sheets of and arranging financing everyday for many individuals who have been successful enough in real estate investing to move into buying larger commercial properties.

That would not be a sustainable business, as they literally would not be able to do anything else except drive from property to property meeting contractors.  

I've moved back to Columbus after going thru divorce and getting rid of all properties and am getting back to doing what became a passion of mine - real estate investing.I'm hoping to meet new investors and create something great, sustaining and damn near awesome.

I totally agree and hope to find the right property that can sustain it's own mortgage and also be affordable for us to get started with.  

But I would definitely recommend listening to that show to see if there might be something there that resonates for you in terms of a possible strategy shift.