Fill in the foundation below.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere Check out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

"Returns around 4-5% are for turn key properties... if that.

The property would therefor have almost no cashflow during those 4 years(I know, I know cash flow is key, but this is kind of a weird situation).  

It is just one part of the decision making process and one that will help somewhat in comparing one investment against another.Using leverage is one of the best ways to create wealth and the key to doing it successfully is to learn how to manage risk.

This is going to be key because cash investors quickly sweep up all the good deals, and a sub-$100k multi-family in an ok area is a good deal.  3.

I am so tempted to just invest completely out-of-state in NC or other markets that seem to be doing well and getting a turn key property.  

For example, you set up key word alerts. http://www.biggerpockets.com/alerts

First Key Lending5.

Fill in the foundation below.Check out the Start Here page http://www.biggerpockets.com/starthere Check out BiggerPockets Ultimate Beginner's Guide - A fantastic free book that walks through many of the key topics of real estate investing.Check out the free BiggerPockets Podcast - A weekly podcast with interviews and a ton of great advice.

Key benefit might be able to maximize total return on whole investment (apt + solar), with out this solar option the returns are going to be based on just the investment returns on original apartment building.