Make sure we're accounting for the appreciation, cost of the sale, cost of the purchase and one of my favorite factors, the risk.

If you find a property that you really like drive down and ask to speak with someone about the fines.

FICO, experience, and LTV are also factors but this is the basis of the loan.

Not sure if it's worth it to gain the extra appreciation while also having to manage multiple properties that are a bit of a drive away and have unknown maintenance requirements.

You don’t get CA level appreciation in Kansas City.Some areas are high crime so need make sure you understand the neighborhood you are investing in, like any city all locations are not equal.Very car centric city, mass transit is not widely used, people don’t walk, they drive outside of a few very walkable locations in heart of the city. 

Find something in state or the next state over that is in driving distance. 

2) Maintenance Reserves: So many factors here to consider!

LOTS of rentals there it seems.El Paso is about a 12hr drive for me from Dallas. 

The baby on the way should not factor into your decision. 

Well worth the money, plus you will have already factored that expense in to your cash-on-cash requirements to justify a purchase decision)4.