How much leverage are you comfortable with?

[Jim Bryant]

So I tend to be really conservative and don't purchase another property until the last one I bought is paid off.  This is a bit easier to do since my area has really cheap housing.  However, I'm starting to think maybe I should be a little riskier and try to grab more property at once, particularly if a good deal comes along.  I have a good job right now that allows me a bit of a cushion.  I have just bought a house, that my family lives in for 63k that I put 10 down for.  So about 50k of debt currently and that house, of course, doesn't generate any rent. My first instinct when I buy I house it to pay off the loan quickly, so as to save on the interest. 

What do you think?  Should I get a bit more aggressive?

[Mike Dymski]

Leverage, by itself, is not risky at all. High leverage coupled with cyclical markets, low reserves, bad locations, under-capitalized properties, short-term debt, low cash flow, no value add, or some combination of these items is where owners get in trouble.