I'm a bit late seeing this post, but wanted to throw in my two cents since this is where I live! 

For example, you could find deals that have good long-term potential and buy enough money down so they throw off a bit of cashflow, but not so much equity that it limits your ability to scale.

and the reason why most newbie Investors I washed out within six months is because they’re sold on just about everything that the Internet throws at them.

They are much like an HOA where they often aren't working towards the same objective you are.Renting, like you said, is just throwing away your money usually.I think I would consider the hold-time for your investment.  

My main goal right now is to get positive cash flow along with standard property appreciation (~3% like rest of the US).ThanksJaiHello,Make sure whoever you go with that is using the word "turnkey" is not just throwing it around.

Just thought I'd throw that one in.That's awful what you went through.

The "zero-down, take-over-my-2.5%-mortgage" is a unicorn example that he likes to throw out there as bait for all newbies to buy into his program.  

These throw off some cash flow, but our real play is long term returns.

But when someone throws this kind of shade is usually something personal.

Its like a toddler throwing a temper tantrum.