In some cases, they vary that much in the same town.This creates a situation where I have to explain to people the difficulty of buying in certain areas.

One difficulty we had was it took until 2017 before we could find a lender that would lend to us.

Not interested in a no-money-down strategy as I am looking to REPLACE my income as fast as possible so I'm willing to put a little skin in the game.  

I mean you don't see Me with Oregon and Ca properties running adds in Cleveland for you folks to come buy my properties. but you see all sorts of these companies that advertise their properties out in the areas were the residences are much more investor centric than were you live.. but this started in 2000 or so I started funding out of state folks in 2002 and been doing it ever since.. however its tightening its finally got to the point were the recycle like you talk about has really calmed down.. as a whole the buyers are smarter and PM s do a better job.. and the investors have skin in the game so they did not walk from rentals like they did in 08 to 2010..  

If you demonstrate that you are willing to take risk with your own skin in the game (HELOC), they are more likely to loan money to you, and at a lower interest rate than someone who has no experience. 

You are also somewhat at the mercy of the contractor you end up going with, which is a slight concern given the difficulty of finding good contractors.

As someone who is just learning and does not have skin in the game yet, I would like to volunteer, and provide any help in organizing a meetup if you guys are interested.

I’m looking for some strategic advice but I don’t know anyone locally that thinks like the people on this board.I have four houses, three rentals plus primary. 3/2 1050sq’ owe $75k worth $240k rent is $1025 improved rent would be $1200 3/2.5 1090sq’ owe $80k worth $270k rent is $1025 improved rent would be $1450 3/2.5 2400sq’ owe $190k worth $455k rent is $1950 5/3 3500sq’ owe $160 worth $550k primaryI live in the west and values are sliding so numbers are guesses but I tend to be conservative.If I had to guess our 'real skin' in all this is probably about $25k.

If you don't panic but work through difficulties and overcome obstacles, you reduce your risk.I don't know how to quantify it on a scale because every deal and every investor is unique.

I've been looking into sub-metering a SFH home with a mother-in-law suite and experiencing difficulties regarding zoning and the utilities companies.