@Lionel Miller, hi and welcome to BP.As with any business/investment venture, priority #1 should be to establish a goal and measurable steps to achieve it. 

@Robert Leitner I just had two full appraisals done, where the appraiser enters the property, measures, takes pictures, etc.

He ended up needing to buy more materials because he didn't measure correctly in the beginning.

Use that why to help define your goal which needs to be measurable and time bound (i.e. buy a rental property before the end of 2021 that provides a 10% CoCROI).

There are preventative measure that can be taken as well but at the very least, get the annual inspections. 

He did not take any measurements, didn't take any notes about where we wanted things to go, said we were being too pushy when we asked for references and proof of insurance, and flat out refused to give us a sketch/plan of what he would be doing.

The Index captures price movements across a variety of goods and services and is generally considered a wider-ranging measure for inflation as it captures changes in consumer behavior and has a broader scope than the Labor Department’s consumer price index.

I had an appraiser that mis-measured and the sellers agent insisted their number was correct.

Unless the feds start taking drastic measures, boarder line illegal, then just expect the current status quo to continue.

A better way to look at debt is to measure your overall leverage.