I'll investigate how well this can be applied to Austin market. thanks again!

The only penalties would apply if I’m taking out the earnings that the Roth IRA grew itself, correct?

To adjust your tenant screening criteria without any fair housing issues, it’s best to apply the new credit score requirement consistently from now on, treating all future applicants the same way.

On a fixed mortgage, i could pay extra payments (or a one time lump sum payment) and apply it towards principal.

@Abel Eskinder since you're out of the country, you'll probably want to give some thought to our copy & paste info below:-------------------------------------------------------------------------------Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.Property Class will typically dictate the Class of tenant you get, which greatly IMPACTS rental income stability and property maintenance/damage by tenants.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a Class A property in Class D area, what quality of tenant will you get?

The same thing applies to Real Estate. 1.

Some other copy & paste advice:Recommend you first figure out the property Class you want to invest in, THEN figure out the corresponding location to invest in.If you apply Class A assumptions to a Class B or C purchase, your expectations won’t be met and it may be a financial disaster.If you buy/renovate a Class A property in Class D area, what quality of tenant will you get?

I am still not 100% on how it should be applied though. 

Strong demand and limited inventory are driving prices up.Perhaps in some markets but you can't apply this thought process to all, especially not the lower tier neighborhoods that have zero barriers and seemingly unlimited inventory.

Filter it and then you can apply your own view.I usually take the other side.