I'll kick things off - For us, we initially got involved in RE investing because we were fully in love with the idea of passive income and a monthly check rather than having to wait/work jobs we hated until some unknown date far into the future.Fast forward a couple of years and we realized that lifestyle changes and downsizing/living more simply meant that even our small/modest portfolio could already cover our living expenses and allow us to live without jobs (if we played our cards correctly).  

The toughest part with REI is the unknown...

He kept stalling (for unknown reasons) on ordering the alarm, claiming that a local cop told him some brand name, but he misplaced the note.

One unknown rehab and a couple of unknown turnovers should not be a material part of the long-term equation. 

So please don't have any misconceptions that I was in love with Ohio Cashflow and it (for some unknown reason) went sour.

Local financing also lessens the "California Buyer" effect, where listing agent for owner occupied homes will tell their client to not trust your offer, because it comes with an unknown bank in CA.

@Hamad Khan why are you leaving such a HUGE and personal life action up to the insight on unknown internet "idiots"?