If you have a $1,500 or more spread between cash flow and living expenses, I would consider saving the rest to add to a cushion. 

Purchase price: $140K% Down: 25% (I am considering pitching the investment to a friend and making this a cash purchase - any advice regarding this decision is much appreciated!)

Might be a good way to get your foot in the door, not having to partner with anyone, low downpayment and a cash flowing asset. 

I was thinking about different ways to avoid the 6 month period in which one has to own the property for in order to refinance cash out.

This laundromat’s washing machines cost more than I thought, but the time of washing the clothes was fast: 22-27 minutes.  

You can get great cash-flow in Cincinnati and I think C areas would be your best bet.

Purchase price: $326,000 Cash invested: $80,000 3 bd/ 3 bath townhome, completely remodeled in 2021.

Hi George,If you have the cash to buy your next property with financing, it's not necessary to do a cash out refinance.

I have a buddy that is in mortgage but unfortunately we are not able to secure deals with his company because most buyers have better financing or cash options and this is taking me out of the game.

While each market - real estate and stock - has it's own risk/return profile, the comfort of owning a cash-flowing hard asset becomes more and more appealing when the stock market gets choppy.