With most products their is a place where this makes sense, but in my experience there is only 1 with this product Right Way = Pretty low credit score and cannot qualify for a traditional loan to access the equity and you need the cash fast Wrong Way = Any other reason than the above. 

I've also assumed VA loans where little cash was used (seller had low/no equity).

Short term (12 months), low loan to value with borrowers who have strong credit and significant assets.

Is it possible to buy a property in Seattle low enough to get 1%, yes.

and even then the return will be fairly low based on the risk you're taking on. 

Xeriscaping (low-water landscaping) is increasingly mandated in many HOAs, and buyers are scrutinizing water-hungry features like traditional lawns.Rising Construction CostsMaterial costs have fluctuated significantly, and labor remains tight in the Phoenix construction market.

Multifamily properties (2-4 units) can be a great way to build your portfolio while minimizing risk—especially with FHA or conventional low-down-payment options.Also, networking is huge.

However, looks like there is a harsh line as far as what locals can afford and if you go over that, vacancy is high.Watertown, NY- I’ve seen many great multi-family properties in the low to mid 100s.

Is interest so low that you can't justify having them more often?

I have found that the profit margins are very low in this model if the house is in a C/D neighborhood because you are limited to the amount of rent you can charge for each room.