Almost everyone who makes money in this market recognizes that it is a 2 step process to acquire and then raise rents to hit a return/cash flow.

Since I’ve started RE investing, I’ve always been required to provide a personal financial statement to my banker anytime I’m in the process of acquiring properties.

Reputable turn key companies stand by their product and will offer some kind of warranty.

My production would drop at least 20% if I was doing all the CFPB/Dodd-Frank nonsense.

I'm invested in a duplex as well and acquired it in similar way you did, one side first and the other later.

I understand that any of these products are subject to my debt to income ratio.

The common formula for real estate investing is:Determine the fair market value.Subtract repair costs.Determine the profit you desire.Most properties should be acquired at 50% to 70% of the homes fair market value.Large venture real estate firms like Opendoor will buy your house for approximately 90% of the market value.

Like @Julie Kern we have not been able to acquire anything new in over a year due to price / rent ratios.

How many properties do you plan to acquire?

You may need to partner up with someone to get the capital, but makes it easier to scale.Lastly, usually when you hear about someone acquiring hundreds of units over just a few years, they are syndicating deals (which is a great way to do it, BTW).