Chris, with self-directed Solo 401k plan you have virtually limitless investment opportunities, from real estate investing, to being private lender, investing in tax-liens, precious metals, and much much more.

To me, cash was very precious at the time, so I probably still would have paid the low downpayment and saved any extra cash I had.I believe one of the big differences b/t FHA and low-down conventional is that FHA Mortgage Insurance doesn't go away any more (unless they re-changed it) - whereas conventional normally goes away after you get to 74.9 or 79.9% LTV.. whatever their requirement is..Chris Mason could give you a better comparison.

I have scoured the site looking for cautionary tales or advice on what risks to avoid and how, and there is precious little.

@David Barnett & @BOB CRANEY your spending an awful lot of time in a conversation that you deem worthless spend your precious time working on your own goals as your clearly not here to help your services are not needed here bye!! 

One bad winter could result in $10,000+ in roof and siding repairs and HVAC repairs, essentially wiping out years of precious "cash flow." 

Either way, I firmly believe there are steps you can (and should) take on your own before wasting someone else's precious time.

Reserves are the only way to assure that some misfortune that befalls your precious investment doesn't become good fortune for the next investor, who comes along and picks up the pieces when you're forced to sell.

Part of the agent's role is to supervise to be sure that nothing bad happens, or to work to rectify it if it does.Either way, always advise the tenants well in advance (according to the terms of your lease) and tell them to secure all valuables (money, jewelry), prescription and weapons.I also recommend minimizing the intrusion on the tenants by scheduling group showings at specified times only. 

The financials are as follows:TSP(Government 401k):  approx $40kInherited IRA:  approx $115k (withdrawals affect taxable income levels)Cash:  approx $10k (recently paid off ALL consumer debt including car, so building this up at a rate of about $2.5k/mo)Precious metals:  probably about $20k worthReal Property: 4 houses#1: Single familyCurrent Mortgage: $163k (PITI = $970/mo)Estimated Value: $160kRent:  $1195/mo#2: Single FamilyCurrent Mortgage: approx $140k (PITI = $1088/mo)Estimated Value: $200kRent: $1385/mo#3: DuplexCurrent Mortgage:  approx $120k ($1120/mo)Estimated Value: $165kRent:  $825x2 ($1650/mo)#4: CondoCurrent Mortgage: $60k (PITI+HOA $853/mo)Estimated Value: $80kRent:  $850/mo  (I rent this one to my sister, so this one is a wash)So my questions are...

As you scale time becomes your most precious commodity.