I expect this to continue for a while.In the process of getting an average lot rent for the area.

Continued success on building your empire! 

Not sure if this may break the deal or not.I expect to run the management once I get the hang of it, for now happy to pay for the continuity of property management while I "figure it out" and eventually scale back the W2 job.Am I forgetting anything? 

This area continues to grow and I have met with other investors from CA looking to get into the market.

Continue to research, if you want, and look at all of the information out there that contradicts this one.Or, better yet, get with a competent real estate focused CPA or EA and have them explain it to you. 

@Andrew Sweeney it sounds like you may just need to continue analyzing deals and honing your skills because I see deals all the time that positively cash flow with 25% down.

But in an ideal world, my original realtor and I would have continued working together and he would have received the full commission.

But this is how I evaluate a property on financial terms, 6 continuous months of gross rent should pay for the purchase price of a house. 

san antonio has now become difficult as well, things they are a changing, and will continue to ebb and flow with the market

Also, you're continuing to build equity in your current property and if needed may be able to use HELOC for additional projects.Originally posted by @Jason Heard:Thanks for the welcome @Alina Trigub!"