My current short term goal is just starting a portfolio, once I do my due diligence and study as much as a possibly can to mitigate my risks.

Define your strategy, find a property, model out the risks and plan to mitigate etc.

This will allow for greater cash flow while only tying up the down payment -- you can use any other money for additional cash flowing properties keeping diversity of occupancy to mitigate risks. 

Any and all help, direction, or insight in what you all are doing to mitigate risk and take advantage of fixed low-interest rates would be great!

It's those maniacs that buy homes cash via quit claim deed off of craigslist that really get screwed.Make sure your property manager is a licensed real estate brokerage.Understand you can not eliminate all risk, only mitigate it.

Maybe the amount you would be able to save in two years would help mitigate the difference in list price versus 70% LTV refi?

There are some complex structures to mitigate that for sure where the owner might hold assets in a blind trust with no control but you are a one man show and that won't ever pass the smell test to a judge.Asset protection is all about risk tolerance.

The only way I know how to mitigate the risk and avoid mistakes is know my market, in person. 

We just received our inspection report back and it has 11 critical points that we need to address and either abate or mitigate it also has dozens of spots that tested positive but no current action is required.

If they claim they never obtained it, they can claim twice the amount of the deposit against me in court.So short of obtaining a scanner to take with me to appointments or bringing duplicate copies to fill out and sign, how would you suggest I mitigate this risk?