But having money to travel and enjoy life while we can is our goal!

I'm secure; roof over our head, food on table, wife/kids enjoy minor luxuries here n there, school activies etc, and while saving 15-20% income each month. 

The current average for my entire portfolio is at 61X.The midwest is always the area to invest when you value cash flow.In fact, we mid-westerners actually wait around and every 10 years or so the CA, AZ, and or FL market will tank and we sneak in and purchase a vacation/STR property. 

And who knows if I enjoy realest more then my computer job I might decide to do real estate full time.

I work in pharmaceutical sales which affords me a decent pay and flexible schedule and I truly enjoy it so my properties will be passive income which will further support my family.My parents have a college rental at the University of Dayton which does very nice and I like the idea of that model as a fairly safe and reliable source of passive income.

@Roman Strawa four corners is a great shot for vacation rentals.

There's ALWAYS a 'seminar' being held in some vacation location, even cruises have been known to have them :)

If it's an STR or vacation place 6/4

and  how to avoid "holdovers" or how to allow for very short notice to vacate when things are not working out?

My wife and I are building a triplex close to the beach in a popular vacation spot in Florida.