It's about making $, once your making enough that Uncle Sam is a gut punch vs a pinch, then worry about write-offs. 

If you have a good relationship with your appraiser, then you can find out what your pinch points will be ahead of time.

I figured I have family in the Baton Rouge area which draws me back there periodically and in a pinch I could have family check in on the property for me, outside of utilizing a property management company.

I would pinch those pennies and work to get a down payment so you can buy something on your own and get some equity in the deal. 

Therefore, I take everything the realtors tell me with a pinch of salt and I form my own opinion.

My current family spending I consider to be "semi penny pinching" at 7-9k /mth. (90k/yr).

Steven,  I just posted this on another thread- we are all feeling the pinch here,Use local brokers- they will get you the best rates.

This will allow you to exit in a pinch if you have to!

I am in no way out to pinch every dollar I can.

Out of town landlords needing to sell, other people who are feeling the 'pinch' elsewhere and just need to get out of their loans, etc.However, I don't want to get sucked in to thinking that there are a TON of good deals.