If you can stomach a total loss yourself, then go for it, but we always have insurance on our property.

This one would not be a hold for me as I can't stomach the HOA and I can find better returns.Finally, keep in mind PHX is VERY low in inventory, homes at trustee sale are selling for retail and there is literally very little buy and hold or flip prospects out there so don't compare this to a deal from two years ago.

I don't have the stomach for D-class properties myself.

There is a large demographic of people like me who may not have the knowledge to invest but they have the stomach for it.

I also felt more stress after the deal than I thought I would.If you have to come out of pocket to cover an unexpected emergency...like wave 2 of COVID lockdowns leaving units empty for 60-90 days...or the threat of future job insecurity rising...and can stomach that, don’t let me or any stranger on the internet stop you.I am not even considering touching reserves for anything other that purpose right now, but that is me, and what’s right for me isn’t right for you.Good luck on your journey!

Imagine a worse case  scenario, and see if you can stomach it.Currently you have a close to paid off home with 1M equity. 

I don't think you can say liberal = high property tax because my property tax, as a % is way higher in Houston TX than it is on my home in San Diego, CA.That said, I wouldn't invest in blue areas because for me, I just can't stomach the tenant friendly rules and I'd be scared to death of some type of 'wealth tax' or change in overall tax rate or rent controls.   

Even thinking about calling while I am writing this is making my head spin and my stomach flip. 

Now I am also getting into REI and some of the tactics I see being used to coerce people into selling properties for less than they can get turn my stomach.

If after looking through that stuff you think you've got the stomach for this game then go for it.