I haven't filed a claim all these years but insurance is for the what-if and to be used for the high-ticker items, but chances of damages exceeding the 5% is low.  

I have purchased the following books:ABCs of Buying Rental Property The ABCs of Property Management The ABCs of Real Estate Investing The Advanced Guide to Real Estate InvestingThe Book on Investing in Real Estate with No (and Low) Money DownWhat order do you recommend reading them in?

I made a low offer and it was accepted.

I would search for a property that has a low interest rate Fha or VA loan.

If you are very conservative purchase a fixer upper so you can force equity and hopefully have a low enough payment so that you can LTR the property or even sell for profit should the STR avenue not work. 

I know the area like the back of my hand and believe Indiana has tons of upside to invest in.I came from a low-middle-class family of teachers.

I own a 200 year old house that has a very low cost of repairs and maintenance over the 4 years I've owned it.

A HELOC on your duplex or home offers flexible, low-interest financing ideal for BRRRR, with potential tax-deductible interest if used for property expenses.

Your best bet since your working on your capital are going to be to use low money down hard-money lender.

If you have a low interest rate, consider a HELOC for value-add BRRRRs or flips.