Then this year, we were able to bump up our rents and have a family staying in there.

There are some tricks to doing it that way and you will hit some bumps.

bump

If there aren't many close by, bump it to last 6 months or last year.

What is an annual return you are seeking.If security is your goal and no headache then many of my clients prefer triple net for safety.If your goal is value add and hefty rent bumps to outpace inflation or keep up with it then apartments work well.It also matters if you are trying to live off of this or not.You need to describe more of what you are trying to accomplish to get a direction.

Although you might find some bumps along the way, alongside the importance of doing thorough research, I feel that with time you will appreciate your decision to begin this journey!

I’d bump hose ratings up and put Dyer as an A and Hammond as a B.

I know you mentioned cash flow as your goal, but if you are still working and making enough cash to smooth over the bumps for the first few years then investing in an appreciating market may be the better long term wealth producer. 

So, while real estate can bring great rewards, it's essential to be ready for the bumps in the road.In conclusion, these five questions serve as your compass in the real estate world.

No sense risking the place sitting vacant and possibly broke into , plus I usually improve stuff and bump the rents up .