Sure you could do a money market or put it in an ETF or something, but this is one of the options where the balance "can't" go down or is extremely low risk while making a decent yield.

This is a personal choice and depends largely on your risk tolerance level and the current demand for rentals in your area.Vehicle Repossessions: Having a vehicle repossessed is strong indication that a tenant cannot handle their money very well.

When it comes to electrical, I don't want to run the risk of shotty work and causing a fire.

So even if they allow today, I think you put yourself at risk that they don't allow in the near futures. 

Learn how to cost-efficiently furnish everything for the space, and take a risk on MTR.

For instance, cities like Chicago are known for landlord-tenant laws that skew heavily in favor of tenants, and that risk should be baked into your underwriting.What’s your take on balancing short-term cash flow with long-term equity growth?

I am tired of living the rat race and now I'm in a mindset where I am okay taking risks to jump into real estate investing.

To avoid the risk management/insurance that comes with tenants' wood fire use:I'm thinking to seal the chimney cap on roof and run a cord putting an electric Infrared heater fireplace in there, so they can still open the glass and get heat and watch TV over the mantle, but can't burn anything or have any flame.

Our biggest climate risks in central Texas are typically wind and hail, so anything of concern regarding the roof could get an applicant declined including trees too close to the roof surface, roof over 10 years old, etc.

I think there is something to gain from this in explaining that, yes, they may use it, but there is inherit risk with using it.