re: What is the best way to get a monthly return on an investment?

Agreed on duplexes. And stay away from D class neighborhoods. Buy something in a ‘tweener neighborhood for good value, but will also attract quality tenants.

Too many people starting out get starry eyed at super cheap housing in the ghetto, they don’t consider the fact that homes in bad areas attract bad tenants that won’t pay, and then destroy the place when evicted.