For equity/profit margin, it depends on after use intent (rental or retail sale) of the property; a common guideline for flipping rehab is a minimum profit of 20% or $20,000 that I've seen.

Our model is buy and hold real estate through pure rentals, personals turned rentals all being class A properties so smaller margin but lower expenses.Check out the Blogs, Podcasts and forums.

Sometimes it makes sense paying the tax versus buying into a marginal deal.I am commercial broker with clients all over the country.

From there we invested my income in two more rentals and the rest is history.Our model is buy and hold real estate through pure rentals, personals turned rentals all being class A properties so smaller margin but lower expenses.Check out the Blogs, Podcasts and forums.

Many of us have create a website/blog giving more information about our model, etc.For example, my blog is about self management from a distance, personal properties turned rentals, operating nicer houses on smaller margins, full time job with rentals on the side, etc.

So I totally understand about your goal of retiring early :) I also have an MBA and an undergraduate degree in Finance with a minor in Accounting.Our model is buy and hold real estate through pure rentals, personals turned rentals all being class A properties so smaller margin but lower expenses.

As far as feeding your family, acting in some capacity between sellers and buyers will require some skill and training at some point before being able to command a fee or profit margin. 

It's easier in those places of course, but the margins are smaller. 

Love the are but FYI the taxes and insurance are pretty high compared to other areas.Our model is buy and hold real estate through pure rentals, personals turned rentals all being class A properties so smaller margin but lower expenses.

Will consider marginal neighborhoods but not awful neighborhoods.b) Financing short term, solid, flips executed with partners with a proven track record