I could invest my money elsewhere (index funds, etc.) and just let it ride.  

What it's not because the market is down but I want to ride it out by the others don't?  

I am enormously excited to ride this mouthwatering new adventure.

When I was riding around with my uncle to check out the town, I saw for sale signs everywhere.I don't say any of this to discourage you from moving forward with the opportunities you've identified because I'm sure there are other more experienced members here that could find the positive provide a strategy for you to work with.  

So I had to ride out some lower cashflowing months for the first year, but not it cash flows close to $500 a month and will only go up from there.

I've seen people who's over-riding concern is asset preservation and tax shelter/deferral look at DSTs. 

My wife and I are on our second househack, just about to start our third and it's been a fun ride. 

A FSD car would mean no need for public transportation, no traffic jams, free rides to stores (grocery would pay to drive you there, malls would pay to drive you there and drive you right into the center of the mall) For $100 a month a car will show up at your door in 15 minutes or less.  

People who ride the line making a buck at all costs have crashed and burned later on.The banks want an EMD.There are too many other buyers that will put skin in the game where you are not willing to.If you don't have an EMD you waste my time and when your buyer can't perform not only is time lost but also the loss of real buyers who could purchase the property.We usually have a fail safe where an assignment is allowed into the buyers corporation with the sellers written approval when the request is submitted in writing.This does not absolve the buyer of any responsibilities.I personally do not believe a party should enter into a contract to wholesale unless it is fully disclosed and the seller agrees AND the original buyer has something to lose if they can't perform.Having a bunch of wholesalers with no skin in the game junking up the system and properties for legitimate investors is a waste of time for everybody.My sellers often make buyers put up high earnest money that is non-refundable.If a wholesaler has nothing to lose they will just throw in any buyer just to see what happens.I a wholesaler isn't able to put skin into the game then I instruct my seller it would be wise to wait for a more legitimate buyer to come along then tie up their property.

LOL, wild ride to say the least!