@Jered Sturm, in particular, has made some really excellent points about the merits of buy-and hold RE, but self-managing properties is a lot of work and if you don't want to be super hands-on, the stress can outweigh the marginal increase in ROI gained by doing it yourself vs working with a provider.

While there are merits to both stategies & philosophies---as a newbie, and out of respect and deference to all of the valued opinions, I will pass on choosing a side... for now..... 

They're not bound by Debt to Income ratios, and can be receptive to viewing the investment on its cash flow merit.  

You'll find thousands of posts debating the merits of one vs the other.

Previous replies have merit.  

@David Faulkner There is merit to the argument that frugality is much more limited than increasing one's income.

, and are you highly confident about its investment merits.  

Investors, homeowners, and renters are evaluating an individual property on its own merits.

Having purchased thousands of tax liens myself I feel like there can be merit in sharing.

Determine if there's any merit to pursue, first.If you don't have a relationship with a title insurance company (who could easily provide this) either go to or access your county recorder's records to determine if any mortgage(s) or other encumbrances (liens) that affect title and eat up the equity you are pursuing.