To me, cashflow is basically like having insurance for your investment.

@Bo Smith yes I would use a property manager Background: the military gives a basic housing allowance (BAH) that is adjusted each year based on locality.

Use this period to build “investor muscle”:Network locally: Northern NJ & Northeast PA have active REIA and Mastermind groups where you can learn creative strategies (seller finance, JV, partnerships, DSCR lending, etc.).Educate tactically: Move from general podcasts to deal-focused learning — cash flow calculators, DSCR loan basics, and rent comps.Understand investor financing: Once you’re ready, your pension-backed W2 and equity could make you an excellent DSCR or bridge loan candidate with the right structure.⚙️ 5.

If you rented for $2800 and after expenses profited $2000 per month or $24k per year that would be a 4% CoC return basically on your $600k equity.

New leases: Basic Plan - 50% one-month of rent.Property put on our website, Zillow family and Go Section8Premium Plan - 10% one-month of rent.Property put on all of the above, total of 37 websites (some manual entry) and MLSRenewals: $200 flat fee

Sometimes a duplex that needs paint and flooring gets overlooked by other buyers, but the numbers work if you can handle basic rehab.

Roughly what price range should I expect for a basic, reliable replacement?

If you’re willing to share, it would be helpful to hear:One recent performing note deal (high level only: property type, state, basic numbers).The biggest risk you watch for with performing notes that newer investors often overlook.The goal of this thread is to learn from others’ experience—what’s actually working, what’s not, and how investors are thinking about risk/return with performing notes right now.

From there, you can start building your basics: learning how to analyze deals, picking a market that fits your goals, and surrounding yourself with people who’ve done it before.

The strategy here is basically quick flips, wholesaling, or entirely using OPM to finance deals (creative financing, syndicating etc).