I've always worked on my stock market portfolio and real estate was just a dream.  

- Total Stock Market Index Fund- Total International Stock Index Fund- REIT Index

Also, properties in these areas tend to be older housing stock which will mean more maintenance issues and the tenants in general will be harder on the property in lower income areas.  

In my case, the buyer is the owner lock, stock and barrel.

If he redeems, you get the principle and interest.

I'm not worried about my ability to make enough money to pay my mortgage- there is NO shortage of jobs in my field, and if I can fill one of the other two units that will just about cover the mortgage by itself, if I can fill both units I will already have + cash flow (the surplus goes into a savings account or back onto the principle of the loan.)

I agree with Adrian,  a buy and hold strategy is similar to buying stock.

Your ROI is magnified when using debt - regardless if it is autos, houses, or stocks. 

As a result, while I may know certain principles, ideas, and concepts, I don't know how to spot them necessarily when a property/deal is right in front of me. 

@J Scott, in principle I agree, but in practice, it's short-term 60% interest!