Like @Mike Finley, the end game is near...want my time, like @Brie Schmidt to do what I want with reoccurring income.I ask this question of people all the time.

I have several reoccurring direct deposit ZELLEs that I send out monthly between $2 to $20K with zero hick ups.

The next thing is if you close on three properties you will pay three times the portion of closing costs that are non-reoccurring.  

$10k would be a nice reserve, however, if you buy the right property, and account for reoccurring cost in your rent, their shouldn’t be any surprises that would require that size reserve .

I think you are in a good spot though and would completely understand wanting to take the "safest" route of being free and clear of payments when you have other reoccurring life expenses hitting you every month.

So how well are those houses well cared for and what type of crime and drug issues are reoccurring?

I have one unit that had a reoccurence after this. 

I have a duplex here in Omaha that appears to have some root growth in the sewage piping, which is causing a reoccuring clogging issue. 

The ultimate goal is to buy rentals (preferably multifamily) to get the coveted reoccurring income. 

You would then spend non-reoccuring transactions out of the management account store money and pay auto payments out of the property account.