PG county is no fun for landlords.  

Not opposed to PG county, but that drive would be even worse. 

I'm having trouble keeping up with the 100-pg "Housing & Environmental Standards" manual and its overactive "enforcement" in my zone!

It's a theives paradise, just like the slots market.

I do plan to build business credit by starting small as suggested here on BP with a Home Depot credit card that doesn't require a PG here, a bank loan secured by funds there.

Ivan,You posted in another topic about an inheritance.I commend you for not going and buying a bunch of crap with it but wanting to invest it.I have seen some friends inherit large sums of money in the past that the grandparents and parents sweat blood and tears for them to have and did without to give them a chance at a better life.The friend was irresponsible and lived "high on the hog" for a few years and is now broker "working for the man".I think what you are underestimating is what it will take to do repairs correctly,the time involved,and how buying incorrectly can wipe out a large chunk of your wealth.Not knowing what kind of existing annual return you are getting on your money is a huge red flag.You have to compare the RETURN versus the RISK when moving money around or allocating a percentage of your portfolio of investments.If you don't you are "shooting in the dark" and might as well take a trip to Vegas and play the slot machines with your money.DON'T talk yourself into something and say "it's not so bad".That is what I am seeing from your posts and is the number one mistake of new investors.

I've been in hotels where the HVAC only works if you put your key card in a slot, i.e. if you are in the room.

I know several creditors rights attorneys who deal with servicers daily and from what i'm told they are getting more aggressive in seeking deficiency judgements, especially if the borrowers signed PG's and have assets to go after.

@Amanda Hoening I've been told that 'conventional lenders' will always hold 1 'space or credit slot' for your primary residence.

They are not close to PG but they are very investor friendly.