If you try to find a "one size fits all" strategy, you will lose out on so many opportunities that it will take you longer to get on that ship around the world. 

So with all that information I guide them to the best property to make sure that they buy a property that can earn them money day one and one that doesn't have the potential for them to LOSE money on their first investment.

I wish I would have started years ago especially when I was contracting out in Afghanistan, but hey hind sight's 20/20 and I haven't had more fun than with REI.  

@Mark VesuA couple of things missing1) If you sell the property, you lose about 10% in value right away6% in realtor commissions and 4% in other costs(Title work, stamps, etc)2) Rental income is likely sheltered by depreciation(no taxes) while the dividend income will be taxed.3) You are less likely to cash-flow when the per-property unit cost is above $150,000.In your case, the cost per unit is $275,000($550,000 / 2).4) You may want to consider doing a 1031 exchange and get into better appreciation / better cash-flowing properties.Best of luck

As long as you don't lose any money you're fine, you might even make a little $.....Just move on....plenty of houses out there.

I won't use the names of the people I've interacted with as I believe this is more of a reflection on how Chase home lending conducts business than each individual person.tldr; Use Chase home lending for a mortgage on an investment property if you want to suffer and risk losing your deal.I got a pre-approval from Better.com.

if you do not have a Certificate of Occupancy in your City and try to collect rents from courts you will lose.

Stop thinking cash flow and think wealth building, right now you losing $600 a month at least and when stuff break they won’t give you a break, our tune is limited on this planet so make what you can sooner than later

I’m about to lose my job now and I’m also doing my first flip which is a nightmare.

That means you are always losing money every year until you sell.