Since I have the luxury of being able to live anywhere I choose (i.e. no kids, no spouse, current job is virtual . . . yeah . . it's a GREAT life!)

Choose who you work with wisely (especially if you are out of the area).

Hi @Robert Kohalmi - Check out Listsource.com - here's how you get a good absentee list from that site for your area ~~Under the GEOGRAPHY tab:- Define your areaUnder the PROPERTY tab:- Select % Equity and choose those with 40% or more equity- Select Property Type and choose SFR (single family residence)Under the OPTIONS tab:- Click on Absentee Owned (you can then choose in and out of state)

I've only been investing in Charlotte for about 10 months, but in that time, I've been rather disappointed with plexes for two big reasons:First - there are very few to choose from.  

Any reasons why i might choose the lease option over the owner finance?

This area doesn't work for me because I have a specific target individual in mind that I supply housing too and these people do not CHOOSE to reside in Joliet.

They show that more renters are choosing to renew their leases rather than move out and that our average rent and deposit is well above the local average.  

You can always choose to pay a higher payment each month, as if it were a 20 or 15 year am, but have the flexibility to pay less.  

We choose not to inflate a property's ROI by adding in anticipated or forecasted appreciation.

It would depend on what neighborhood you choose and if you're looking to hold or flip.