I feel like I'm already off to a stronger start thanks to this community.

Create a HELOC from the equity now in your primaryIMO - transferring equity from rentals to your primary only makes your financial/risk position stronger. 

Here are my main reasons; tilt up is significantly stronger than cinder block, far less labor intensive which equates to fewer errors, saves time because it requires less labor and is not subject to weather conditions, and there are many brick manufacturers which make an embedded brick system (natural thin brick) which adheres directly to the panels, thus an additional cost and time saver.

I don't think its easier, additional guarantors makes it stronger.

When I say quality, a quality person renting a sub quality place isn't happy, if they have a situation like a foreclosure through four years ago and they want to be homeowners again, they should be willing to jump through some hoops as far as rebuilding your credit historyAlso I mean quality is far as the quality of the location and the quality of the house that's for rent, many houses for rent are crap, and the best school districts and safest neighborhoods are only houses for saleCharles I've been doing this for 30 years and with the times that we are in right now with tenants having such a hard time getting a mortgage and getting out of the Rent  Trap, this is not a buy-and-hold strategy Like in stocksI live in a very expensive area Los Angeles and the average person can buy house because they're 900,000 to 1,200,000 where I live and lease purchase has a place here because many people can get mortgagesBut if you lived in Pittsburgh or you live in Cleveland or you lived in Orlando, you can make money with lease-option assignments or sandwich lease options if you've got a little bit of money for reserves as a real estate entrepreneur operatorWhat's in it for the seller is they can lease with an option hopefully with the right screening of tenant buyers that have ties to the community and strong employment where they're  not going to lose their jobsWhat's in it for the investors is that they can do a lease option assignment or sandwich and make some money without getting a bank loanI do like lease purchase over lease option for the seller because it's a stronger commitment and a definite end to the dealFor the buyer I'd much prefer a lease with an option with an extendable option in the initial contractFrom a business point of view if you're interested in getting better appreciation you can just do one year agreement and ratchet up new agreements at 5% a year or a new appraisal every 12 monthsI have put together a lease purchase arrangements where the sales price has been tied to either a new appraisal or a set floor price whichever is higher, to prevent a loss; in stocks this is called " collaring "where you have a  call order at a lower price to prevent a big loss and an order to sell a certain high priceSee protective collar http://www.investopedia.com/articles/optioninvestor/07/protective_collar.asp

When you have cash to offer a seller, with no financing contingency, the only person that comes in stronger is a big jump in traditional down payment buyer offer or another investor with more cash.Cash in buying a house works like cash works just about anywhere else.

(Black kitchen appliances.)Located in middle-class to upper-middle class areas.Property appeals to the masses (entry-level professionals, college students, seniors, etc.)Class C: Generally more than 30 years old Little to no amenities (for example: no washer/dryer hook-ups inside the units, window air conditioning units/no central AC, white kitchen appliances)Located in stable middle-class, working class, or lower income neighborhoodsBlue collar and entry-level professionals, college students, seniors, some renters who receive housing subsidy (*Sec. 8)Potential for stronger cash flow than Class AHigher maintenance needs than Class A and BClass D: Generally more than 30 years old No amenitiesKitchens and bathrooms look very old ("Harvest gold" kitchen appliances)Located in areas that may have high crime, high unemploymentGreat cash flow if purchased at a low price, but there is little chance of appreciation

And what would your opinion be on flipping houses in either Albany, Troy or Glenns FallThere is a growing need for student housing in the area, and a stronger presence of investors who like turn key investments. 

I would think that both Morgantown, and PGH probably have stronger local economies than places like Waynesburg and Washington, and probably both have better tenant pools....

There are some many subtle nuances when it comes to the law that I could not recommend any stronger seeking the advice of a professional before and during your audit.Best of luck with your investing,Chris