Owning in Cash (Need Advice)

[Rob Bianco]

I own 4 properties (3 duplexes / 1 fourplex in B grade neighborhoods) in cash. So far I've been relieved to own them in cash because the first 12-16 months I had to fix/replace/upgrade a lot of things that the previous landlord(s) neglected as well as deal with some bad inherited tenants. I likely would have lost money when all was said and done if I also had a mortgage to pay. Things have since settled and the investments are bringing in nice monthly income.

However, I can't help but get the feeling that while I was blessed to have the cash to own that it utterly kills my ability to buy more investments and there's probably a better way to do this than the way I've done it? I also have cash set aside for rehabbing/flipping which is something I intend to do. 

I'm really just looking for some advice from people who have been down this road that might be able to share their wisdom.

[Bobby Stener]

There is a big difference between playing offense and playing defense. There are a lot of offensive players on bp who will be destroyed in the event on an economic contraction and it will come. Who knows when it will come but I have seen a lot of people pretending that values will only increase and rents will only increase and leveraging according to this assumption. There is a lot to be said for playing defense, especially at these prices. Save your money and play offense when the time is right!