I don't have the most money saved but I would like to start working my way towards financial freedom.  

Start with that and work backwards.You want 4-6 houses in 2-3 years so that can be:- 1 Four-Plex- 2-3 Duplex's- 4-6 SFHWhich one's interest you the most and will work with what you have financially?

It makes you think deeply as to why you’ve chosen the route to find financial freedom.

A couple of other 'side benefits of hold in retirement accounts are that in general those accounts are more protected in bankruptcy or lawsuit cases, and if a person has college aged kids assets in retirement accounts are not counted towards financial aid calculations in many cases (but not all). 

You might split your list in a couple segments - perhaps Absentee with high equity, Seniors with 15 year ownership and Homeowners with Low Financial Stability Scores.

My main goal from REI is to be build a large enough RE portfolio, while finishing my military career, for my wife and I to become financially independent allowing us to focus solely on REI after my retirement.

Hi All,  We're starting a rehab on a property that we took back as an REO, and the borrower left in a disaster. 

I was looking into a new construction condo-hotel in Treasure Island, FL so they couldn't produce financials, but comparing the property to financials of similar buildings nearby, the potential was ridiculous.

In addition, it would be helpful to talk to the exiting residents and see how much appetite there is for them to own and to get a sense for their financial strength.Hope this helps.

My dream is to be financially independent and to be able to eat at any restaurant I want without having to worry about the bill.