If you are younger and seeking to rapidly build a cash flowing portfolio, if you are wanting to continue 1031'ing into bigger assets, or if you do not have the cash to take down entire deals without financing, leverage makes a LOT of sense.If you are retired (or rapidly approaching retirement with a level of uncertainty or concern about what your post-retirement income will look like), it could make sense to begin paying off properties so that you reach a point where your expected monthly cash flow will exceed what you need to live comfortably after retiring.

This has brought me the new level of real estate that I've always wanted.

How do you typically evaluate or assess the level of risk when dealing with more complex scenarios, like foreclosures or borrowers with bad credit?

Some of the zips with better cash on cash returns are going to also be the ones with lower level neighborhoods.

Hello Matt, are you only doing prefab wall panels, where they are assembled before delivery, or are you going to the next level with a full Prefab modular construction, where the units are completed at a factory and relatively minimal work is completed on site.One issue I have heard on the modular construction is the manufactures are sold out for this year.You might want to check out www.VuhausLLC.com/models they are doing high end modular construction.

There are many factors to consider when investing in any market, but the main things I work with my clients on are price point, level of rehab, exit strategy, and risk tolerance. 

My CPA says STR "A" can only deduct expenses for STR property "A", and only up to income level.

One of the giant missteps of the journey is going too fast, taking on too much, starting way above your comfort level.  

I've had really good luck with the upper starter home level homes with an ARV around the 150,000 mark.

Many syndications provide tax benefits such as depreciation, which can offset income, and some offer favorable capital gains tax treatment when you sell.Municipal bonds are another tax-efficient way to diversify, as the interest earned is generally tax-free at the federal level, and sometimes state level too, depending on where you live.