I know someone who bought a 4 plex here in Dayton for $50k in cash, and earns 500 per unit ie 2k per month or 24k per year. Paid for the investment in 2 years, and is now earning 24k per year residual and bought another property for 78k.

Renting is a good investment if you can handle sourcing tenants and outsourcing or handling maintenance issues.