What is your strategy to be safe from leverage?

[Jay Pillalamarri]

Question for all our savvy investor friends out there-

Most of the RE investors use leverage in our deals. Question is - Do any of you try to control your risks that comes with leverage with specific strategies? How do you make sure that you don't over-leverage on your RE investments? 

E.g. - Some try to build at least 20% equity in every deal thereby creating a buffer against uncertainties. Some take the above approach at a portfolio level. While others try to avoid loans altogether because of the freedom it gives you. 

I'd like to hear different opinions and strategies to tackle this age old problem.