There is a lot of screwball stuff done to pro-formas by agents that can trip up a new investor that might not have all their ducks in a row.All that said, @Herman Wu we've done very well with our investments out of state (in Ohio), we finally hit our stride of having the right people in place, and we still continue to look for more opportunities (although they are getting harder to spot).

Being able to prescreen them saves me SO many wasted trips.

In theory, would our 35,000 of savings that is earmarked as our real estate start up money @ 3.5% be able to purchase a duplex/trip/quad of up to a million dollars?

Currently, pass through income is taxed at the individual's tax rates and retains its character from the pass through entity (example: 1231 gain will be taxed as a 1231 gain at individual level).

The only issue is that I live in Japan so I won't be able to see the house unless I plan a trip over there.

I am taking a trip to Dallas this week for non-real estate business purposes.

Tech Terrace is where I started looking because of my own time there years ago (and occasional trips back for games and such).  

If they left owing rent that speaks to their character. 

If we need a bigger car for a long trip we can always rent one with the cash we weren't spending on a new car.  

We frequent the zoo and other outdoor activities during the spring and summer and hope to brave our first camping trip this summer with our 3 young kiddos.