The length of the lease is up to you, as the property owner, but keep in mind new lease end date, for example an 18 month lease, may end at a time that makes your property more vulnerable to vacancy (i.e. student renters, etc.).

I'm sure once I get past the first deal my whole mindset will change but I can't help feeling extremely vulnerable trying to do this without initial experienced guidance.I can come up with $50-$250k from my business LOC and I have good credit so I don't see a problem getting conventional financing.I undoubtedly want to buy my first multi-unit property this year (2016).

If you get sued and lose all the assets in that entity are vulnerable.

You are talking with people when they are most emotional and vulnerable. 

It will also cover serious mistakes that many investors make in the seller financing process - mistakes that could make them vulnerable to serious and expensive legal action!

If they're great, they shouldn't be afraid to be a bit vulnerable and show how they corrected a hiccup. 

in perspective of flooding vulnerability compared to other parts of harlingen tx

Is your market vulnerable to this?

The hedge funds and International investors have been pouring into both metros and both are consistently on every list as growth hubs.As was mentioned, the Brightline will only enhance access to other major metros like Miami and Tampa, we are going to see much more growth in the space industry (again), not landlocked and not as vulnerable to hurricanes.

Prepaying a mortgage may hamper diversifying wealth across various investment types, leaving homeowners vulnerable to drops in real estate values.It is important to remember that homes are not liquid assets.