@Steve K. First, let me just say thank you, this is a wealth of information that answers a lot of questions I have been having!
A few things I am wondering:
1. When you mention "value-ad triplex" or duplex, what does "value-ad" mean? (Might be a super newbie question)
2. I have heard / read that when a recession starts, it is better to have cash flow instead of appreciation, but that sounds backwards to what you write about here. What is your take on that? Is Boulder County just different and not affected the same way?
3. My only major concern with going forward into real estate is that I have no significant source of steady income. Because I am in school throughout the year, I work a lot over the summer waiting tables and doing odd jobs, but that does not qualify me for any loans remotely close to mortgage values in Boulder County, and because of this, the only way I could get a place is if:
A) My parents helped with the down payment, and
B) They also co-signed the mortgage and we used their income to be approved for the loan.
What are your thoughts on this? Thank you for taking so much time to reply with so much information!