Currently, I have 2 thoughts: 1) Rent out my primary home as much as possible (which would bring us ~1500-1600/month), save, and invest conservatively in the next few years (both in stock and RE).

Appraisers are typically pretty conservative and will use long-term rental rates, not mid/short term rates.

@Trevor Toft  Your expenses seem way too high for a townhome unless it has a lot of deferred maintenance, I don't think it will be that high, it is great to be conservative, but the 50% rule doesn't apply to all rentals, especially in HCOL areas like Denver. 

To be very conservative, let's assume I have $100k free every year going forward.  

Now, there's not the most social programs in Alabama as is due to the conservative nature (minus the hubs of dying cities like Montgomery and Birmingham), so that was a big statement. lol.

I'm a pretty conservative fellow, but I don't want to over-insure either.

The reality is that if you analyze an Investment for it's Long Term ROI, you won't be using simple formulas based on Cash Flow Now.Those that are arguing Cash Flow versus Appreciation need to add at LEAST the Mortgage Balance Reduction and the Tax Savings.The problem is Education, therefore, there will always be a discussion which pits Cash Flow versus Appreciation when the real conversation should be:Given the over all 10 year holding period, what would be the overall return, taken into account:1) Cash Flow2) Appreciation3) Mortgage Balance Reduction and4) Tax Savings5) Repairs and Renovations6) Expense and Revenue increasesetc.A typical Chart in my spreadsheet looks like this:The BIG GREEN Number is an Internal Rate of Return and it shows that, according to my CONSERVATIVE Assumptions that has been built into this spreadsheet, it will give me a 15.34% IRR over 10 years.What I see from other postings is no mention of the overall Return.

This is definitely a good point - people tend to get caught in the mindset of "MAX" cash-out proceeds no matter what, you can always reduce leverage (lender will pretty much not want lower leverage) to stay conservative and protect cash flow and cushion 

Are many people conservative and not want that many doors.

Run your comps and be conservative on rental rates.