Cash flow - money left over after debt service and maintenance costs every month2.

Choosing to rent it out not only made me $10k in cash flow over the time I held it, but it gave invaluable experience as a landlord! 

The simple answer is you use the cash flow from the portfolio to replace income, not the equity, and when the cash flow is pulled out, then you do so equally for both partners.

Instead of paying cash use that money and spread them over multiple dscr loan so I can own more doors and just collect the cash flow after expenses.

At the same time, I to minimize my downside in investments so LTR's would be a more consistent cash flow option (at least to me)Something my wife and I have thought about doing is at least reducing the principle balance so that whichever option we go for, we at least aren't losing money every month.Really looking for some clarity here as these next few years are going to be very important in order for us to set ourselves up well for the future.Thank you in advance for your thoughts and advice on this topic!

As for what I'm planning, I would like to find a multifamily that would be cash flow positive. then make a decision more closer to the moment of closing whether I'd want to House Hack, or rent it out fully.

I have no problem carrying debt against an investment property as long as I know it will cash flow or I will  make money in a flip, but I do  not like to have debt for my personal home.

I'll never have to rely on someone else to take care of my financial flow.

It is easy to rent but had to find good cash flow deals because of high prices and property taxes. 

Jerryl,  results are very market specific. and to play devils advocate here.. there is no need for you to teach people how to do this quite the opposite with this huge profit margins and lead flow what you need is someone like me who can bring capital to bear .. you should be keeping this information private and not create your won competition.