I decided instead to save the $ and create organized systems that help alleviate some of the more tedious work that comes along with managing the properties myself. 

But while you're saving up, consider a mini house hack and get a roommate!

Ultimately you may chose to spend the maint cashflow another way and plan to use a LOC to handle issues but that expense should be counted when figuring out if the property is cashflow positive or not.

. - Leverage and save on taxes.I think your idea of buying one property for cash is splendid. 

So it may be wise for you to get yourself educated for a bit first and put the money into a low-risk liquidatable investment or savings account for now.Lastly, I swear BP isn’t paying me to promote this book, but I did recently buy and listen to the Audible version of the BP Publishing book by David Greene, Long-Distance Real Estate Investing: How to Buy, Rehab, and Manage Out-of-State Rental Properties, which you can find on the BP Store or Amazon.

From reading previous posts on here over a few months I have seen that many people invest and then get the RE license to get ahead on MLS listed deals or save some money haha.   

Save all the rest of your money in ETFs or bond funds while you wait to get enough money to start investing.

Hello everybody,I recently bought my first rental property in the Bay area (around 9 months ago), so all my savings was a downpayment on this property.

It saves you money every month on your housing costs and lets you build equity faster than a $30k rental.

IncomeRent: $3600Laundry: $50Sub Total: $3650Expenses @6% INTP&I: $1769Taxes: $317Insurance: $120Vacancy: $365Repairs: $365CAPEX: $365Management: $365Total: $3666Difference: $8As I adjust the offer price I get the following numbers:INT 6%, Price: 295000, CF: 8INT 6%, Price: 275000, CF: 128INT 6%, Price: 275000, CF: 278I would personally manage the property allowing me to save the 365/mo in management fees for the first few years.2. what are your expenses every month?