I've never had an interest in school other than math.

Now Ayana I have some homework for you.  

Especially in the tax SALE states. back in the day I am talking the 60's through mid 90's.. in CA. you had to do your homework.

I can also help you with good contacts in those fields.The one bit of advice I can give you is do your homework.  

So, if it needs roof, flooring, paint, etc and contractors total quotes come to $10K for easy math.  

But even then, especially considering the fact that you are paying more interest than principal for the first several years, it seems like it would be a long time before the equity on those four properties would amount to something that you could refinance and pour into more or bigger purchases.According to the math in this super simple (and probably flawed) example, the investor would be earning around $7200 in cash flow a year (before tax), and building equity in his properties.

So i've done a little more homework on rents in the area and my friend (who owns several properties in this very neighborhood) said he gets about $950 for a 2BR (as opposed to the $1,150 that the seller of this property quoted me.

Don't you all think that investor B has done his/her homework and is a little more seasoned than the investor Joe Blow on the street.  

My home , work and investment property are all in a 3 mile radius and I enjoy driving by the properties and monitoring the neighborhood happenings.

You'd just have to do the math for the various scenarios