In this scenario, I am working full time and will assume the usage of a property management company.7)I create a cash flow estimator model in Excel and adjust it to be more realistic based on other people’s models and what their actuals came out to be versus estimates.

What will it cost you to purchase, hold & cash flow the property in the small town near Minneapolis versus whatever area you choose in Chicago?

But if the higher end properties don't cash flow, without putting any money into it, is that really that bad versus putting a few hundred thousand down and now it cash flows but I've just put a lot of money in?

I would look in to California’s strict renter favorable laws and see how many you avoid by being in an owner occupied duplex versus sharing a big single family. 

I’ve seen the term “cash on cash” and “ total return “ used as a percentage. What is the difference/formula between the two?

There is a big difference between areas of the city versus the suburbs.

If you have a mold problem, you'll want to know sooner versus later so it's a cheap date to correct. 

For example, if you have to place large amounts of capital you probably don't want to buy 1 SFR at a time versus buying a 350 unit apartment community.

So all said & done there is a tremendous upside to using methods 4-19 versus 1-3, where you will be shoulder to shoulder with tonnes of newbies competing for pennies on the dollar. 

Good lord.I'd wager this title company has done this before and therefore, in the future, add a condition to each Offer to Purchase that you will not buy if the Seller orders title through the XYZ Title Company.Today, because I'm not very nice, I'd email the title company a response which includes (a) an admission that the title company wrongly removed the credits without your permission and (b) an apology with a guarantee that they will not to it again in the future.NEVER HAPPENS in Illinois because Buyers are represented by Attorneys and we would never tolerate a title company that takes orders unilaterally from the Sellers.Once the Buyer has signed the Alta Statement based on the figures attached to that signature, the title company simply cannot remove credits, which require that you to bring in more money to closing, without your permission.Good luck.