It could be a lot easier to get 1 loan rather than 6 mortgages and you get the added benefit of having to pay expenses and management on only a single property rather than multiple spread across a wide area.

I don't see any major issues with your strategy, but flipping is always a risk, and you should always have multiple exit strategies in mind. 

Have multiple exit and operating strategies.Stress test and run worst case scenarios.

By far the best learning experience in this numbers game, while you are getting licensed, is driving for dollars, knocking on doors, and cold calling.

Well if you sell the only way it makes sense is with a 1031 or you'd drop all your hard earned gain for a better return and that's a break even game - no fun for anyone.Cash out refi - watch out in an environment of rising rates. 

haha I still think South Bend is up and coming with the South Shore expansion, Notre Dame involvement, employment increases across multiple business categories throughout the entire region, and government support of a revival in downtown.

It's about as nonsensical a way to get in the R E game as there is. 

If your local market has a shortage of open apartments, people may be applying to multiple places even if they aren't sure they want it, in an attempt to secure housing.

However, please next time give us a quick background so we don't think you are out of your game.  

Plenty of locals lost properties too, and I am guessing there were multiple factors at play there.