The 1% rule is not happening at the moment. 

There's no way that a judge would accept that the water company has a free for all and say one moment that there're no outstanding charges and then just pull something out of thin air years later .

As you stated it is almost a popping moment suggest REIT quality mutual funds which give you 10-15% return....

If you have a moment, I would appreciate your professional opinion,  Thank you,Meg~

This home was purchased, thoughtfully renovated, and beautifully furnished for use as a mid-term rental in Richmond, VA.

Out of state friends we take to the lake always comment on how amazing and beautiful the lake is and how big it is. 

Since last year of November, Fannie and Freddie has allowed borrowers to put min 5% down for conventional loans and being able to invest multifamily up to 4units.Also, the beauty of FHA is that it allows you to put 3.5% down payment to invest in 1-4 units.

At the moment, I have some noisy neighbors (I'm house hacking a 4-unit condo-style building).

In all, we were able to do a cash-out refinance after 1 year and got our entire investment, including down payment, back into our personal accounts and we still have a cash flowing property.The beauty of smaller town and communities is that often big-time investors are not looking at them as closely and they can cash flow quite well, at the sacrifice of "natural" appreciation.

Accomplished real estate professionals should be charging for every moment of time they spend assisting a new investor.