Anything less than an "A-" rating should probably be avoided.

It's a wish rather than an informed goal.I find it better to focus on systems/actions (analyze X properties, offer on Y, close on Z).

You have a better handle on reality than an investor who allocated 15% of $800 rent to cover vacancy and maintenance/capex.  

In the Reno, NV market the midterm doesn't bring in much more income than an LTR unless you're in a more tourist area but then you're paying more for the initial costs. 

We have worked really hard to build and provide tools so that there's a low barrier to entry (well, as low as it can be in Real Estate anyways) Here's my rec that could have you looking at dozens of pre-analyzed deals in less than an hour 1.

They often pay cash or put a big chunk of money down.You will miss out on a whole bunch of folks that should be on your list, and you will get a lot of people with no equity using a time factor rather than an equity factor.I hope this helps.Sharon

If I purchase properties under my name what steps can I take (other than an LLC) to reduce risk to my personal property excluding the rental itself?

More sophisticated and experienced investors, and those employing knowledge attorneys will understand that while not an absolute, a REG D offering offers some amount of comfort in that the sponsor has placed his offering on a more “sophisticated” level than an intrastate or general exemption offering.  

What if I were to tell you the Investor A triplex was sold two years later for a $100K profit whereas Investor B is run down and exhausted from managing their four "C" neighborhood single family homes and when investor B goes to sell,  they can only attract break even offers because the only buyers who would step to the plate were investors who were not willing to pay retail with so much distressed opportunity available in the "C" neighborhood due to limited barriers of entry. 

Do you happen to have an exhaustive list?