OK lay it on me everyone.I'm looking at purchasing a few baby notes in Florida - non-performing firsts.I've purchased many in the Nashville area and all over the state of Tennessee.

If you plan properly (i.e. expect annual turnover); stay on-top of things (at least quarterly inspections); and renovate for durability (students generally do not keep tidy homes and are consequently at the higher end of the wear-n-tear spectrum), student rentals can be very viable.That said, I would not plan on sharing a 4-plex with student tenants while you have a new baby ;-)

Welcome back, baby!

I have found the key is baby steps and to keep working towards it.

The disease doesn't like... harbor itself in vinyl and grow and thrive and plot revenge until a baby inevitably licks the ground.

They may cover the repairs, but again depends largely on your policy.Look through it with a fine tooth comb, see what the policy says. 

Regarding the wsj houses:  The baby mansions, i don't know....

The solution, in the short run, is to throw the baby out with the bath water, until which time an economic catalyst is generated by commercial interests, whether industry, technology or natural resources capitalists.

I don't mind if a tenant works from home as long as that work does not create any strain whatsoever to maintenance of the property, or cause inconvenience, noise, and liability to anyone else.For example, buying and selling stuff, requiring UPS or FedEx multiple times a day for pick up, drop off, sometimes many packages on doorsteps; running a misery, conducting a yoga class, hair and nail, pet grooming, are all going to have frequent visitors that may park in neighbor's parking spaces, and you might be liable if a dog being groomed in unit C bit a baby being dropped off for baby sitting in unit B.  

@Landon Elscott, @Austin Davis has an REI club started around Cedar Rapids... i haven't been to a meeting yet, and i understand he's been a little busy with a new baby.