The "2% rule" is practically unheard of (cashflow is moderate), but appreciation has remained fairly strong/stable in many parts of town even throughout the housing crash.I'm actually going back to Cedar Rapids and Ames over the holidays to visit family and try to sniff out any more deals.

We all want to keep the properties and continue running the business and so I'm trying to educate myself as rapidly as I can (thank you BP!) 

I know this is your first post and that you're new, but you need to RAPIDLY get up to speed or you're going to get badly burned.

With rapid advancements in prop tech and a growing trend towards digitizing our daily lives, I am convinced that in-person tours and leasing will eventually become a thing of the past.  

Roanoke Rapids, NCMedian home list price: $214,000Annual mortgage payment: $16,732Annual revenue potential: $100,306Potential annual profit: $83,574If this were true.....I'd buy every house there that I couldLOL

All of the incremental steps needed to make that first purchase you are working on, and you absolutely meet your goal.  

I have the ability to invest in smaller multi-family properties here in the local area, because property is generally cheap and halfway decent here, but I'm looking to grow rapidly and go from 4-unit properties to 16-unit properties or larger.Business plan has me buying 2-4 unit complexes for the next 3 to 5 years, then scaling.

So I'll go rapid fire with a few things that crossed my head reading your post. 

I was paying off debts rapidly instead of investing... dumb. 

I am really interested in the Real estate game, and am just looking for someone to talk with about the possibilities.I am located in the Grand Rapids, MI area.