These were C class homes, in ok, but not great neighborhoods but by buying cheap, we netted about 50% of the rent as profit after all expenses, including a $100 maintenance reserve.  3 years later we are selling some of our properties for 2-2.5 times what we paid for them!!!  

Get comfortable in the environment first,...then get involved in it.

The inflationary environment alone is a compelling reason to own or have ownership interests in real assets. 

Pick an asset class: Class A, B, C & D properties, research pros & cons, pick one to focus onPick a real estate market that matches your resources & goalsContact local agents & PMC’s to start sending you listings to analyzeAnalyze a few deals weekly, get comfortable with the market and refine what you're looking for

Non immunized people are not a protected class. 

Talk to some local commercial real estate brokers to figure out what the cap rate is in your market and asset class.

The best property managers tend to specialize in a specific market/niche so a lot depends on the location within STL metro, class of property, etc.

If you are concerned of being in an estate tax environment, consider then both estate and income tax (step up basis planning).

If your satisfied with their training consider staying on and relocating to an office near you.Also take any education classes at PCAR and/or Sacramento Association of Realtors that the instructors recommend in addition to what KW has to offer.

—Subsection (a) of section 408, as21 amended by the preceding provisions of this Act, is amend22 ed by adding at the end the following new paragraph:23 ‘‘(8) No part of the trust funds will be invested24 in a corporation, partnership or other unincor25 porated enterprise, or trust or estate if—Pg. 6941 ‘‘(A) in the case of an entity with respect2 to which interests described in clause (i), (ii), or3 (iii) are not readily tradable on an securities4 market, 10 percent or more of—5 ‘‘(i) the combined voting power of all6 classes of stock entitled to vote or the total7 value of shares of all classes of stock of8 such corporation,9 ‘‘(ii) the capital interest or profits in10 terest of such partnership or enterprise, or11 ‘‘(iii) the beneficial interest of such12 trust or estate,13 is owned (directly or indirectly) or held by the14 individual on whose behalf the trust is main15 tained, or16 ‘‘(B) the individual on whose behalf the17 trust is maintained is an officer or director (or18 an individual having powers or responsibilities19 similar to officers or directors) of such corpora20 tion, partnership, or other unincorporated en21 terprise.22 For purposes of subparagraph (A), the constructive23 ownership rules of paragraphs (4) and (5) of section24 4975(e) shall apply, and any asset or interest heldPage 6951 by the trust shall be treated as held by the indi2 vidual described in such subparagraph.’’.