I guess my main concern is the rising interest rates we'll be seeing soon if things keep going the way they are, so I'm wondering about locking down a couple more cashflowing properties.I know it depends on individual goals, but I guess I'm wondering what you guys would do if in the same position.

I've got two off-market deals locked up in Englewood (brick multi units)...some leads in south shore, woodlawn.

I was wondering how much you guys believe it would effect the rental value/appeal if I was to live in the basement and keep the connecting door locked (or even removed if that won't raise zoning problems) and just use a door to the backyard/side of the house to enter/exit daily. 

You will pay a premium to lock anything down as it is very much a sellers market for this type of stuff.

Ordinarily I don't bother with CDs as their interest rates aren't enough to justify locking up my money, but I have my emergency fund in this product as the cash is still accessible w/o penalty, and rates are as good as most standard CDs.

I am also thinking of using it for a couple of properties on my own too (duplexes) for the DTI issue mainlyWe are getting loans in the low 5% range with 25 year amortization and a 10 year lock.

My biggest concern in locking in liquid capital in an account for a year with the possibility of "no deal" and having the ability to invest it somewhere else.Any thoughts or insight would be greatly appreciated.  

I could technically afford something here but I would be locked in to the middle class rut of being chained to a job in order to pay the bills and I do not want that life. 

In my state we can't suspend rental services for non payment of rent (can't shut off utilities, lock-out mailboxes, etc etc) without following through with a complete eviction but a separate parking lease in a multi-unit building certainly is intriguing. 

If anyone out there has done something like or know a way to make this happen, I am all ears!