A 6 months supply is considered a balanced market.

Given your strong financial position, the best way to move forward is to balance growth and risk management.

The only question is what kind of balance is best.

Some lenders also count your retirement account as reserves.Seems like you’re on the right track, keep looking in your buy box so you know what a great deal is when you’re ready to buy.Wish you the best.I upped my contribution to 25%, we have a cash balance account too but their match isn’t very good, it’s only 4.

Think New York, San Diego, Los Angeles, etc.The problem with that though is a) You may not be able to afford anything there, or b) If you can afford a downpayment you'll be eating negative cash flow.In short, the highest appreciating markets may cost you too much per month to participate in because they have large negative cash flow.So you need to find a market that balances the two.

Again, if its not being reported that's great for your credit but cover yourself for any balance that may be owed by ensuring its not in the documents for the DIL. 

The next deal we found another partner, and on our third deal, our partner was instrumental because he had a strong balance sheet, but we were the operators.After the third deal, we were able to start refinancing the deals.

Balance: $26K  2/1 990 sqft 0.5 acre. 

That way it balances.  

Even if the value were to decline significantly and the balance of the loan is greater than the value.