We go through so much to get a property, a tenant and generating money.

My REFI of Hold properties take place at the end of a series of flips repeating the use of the same initial cash from the first flip to generate a series of flips that multiply the number of simultaneous flips you are able to do by using the profits from the original line flips and subsequent added flips to generate those simultaneous flips, and each repeated set of simultaneous flips will generate a new horizontal line of Holds starting with the first one, generated from that level of simultaneous flips, and expanded through the use of....you guessed it, REFI's.  

Thats only based on my past experience and my current employment, ""always protect yourself ".That said this first deal will be  as a sole proprietor just because of timing.

It might not generate a ton of cash or appreciate in value but you'll learn the ropes of real estate investing, which will be an inexpensive education vs. getting something large.Dive right in!

I quickly realized that, if played correctly, the real estate platform could provide a solid foundation of wealth for many generations to come, while simultaneously producing cash flow today and allowing me to retire early.

I recognize that long term appreciation is unlikely with this type of property however the cash on cash returns seem strong (for my area) and given the fact that this acquisition will double my units and allow me to begin generating enough free cash flow to begin funding the acquisition of additional properties, it is attractive. 

We have yet to use any outside money other then cash we generated on our own.

Since she is no longer working for a company, the 401k is with the past employer and is eligible to be rolled over into an IRA (which can be self-directed).

I'm want to start investing in real estate so I can generate enough income to leave my job and have more family time.

Few preferences that would bring joy to me are - a place that does not have much snow, if any; a place that is green with a lot of trees, and a place that has a large job market since I do want to continue my full time career for the next few years until I know how I fare in generating cash flow, and lastly would also prefer a city that has a diverse population.