I have always been a super conservative investor, only borrowing up to 30% of valuation on one property, and my other properties are paid off in cash.Now I know to grow my business I need to probably be less conservative, at least for a few years, but before I dive into the big big scary world of leverage, I wanted to see if you guys could perhaps tell me how most investors you have heard of or know get into trouble using leverage.I'm not talking about people who pull out equity to fund vacations, nice boats and cars etc, but rather how do people get themselves in trouble when they reinvest the money in real estate or otherwise.The reason I'm asking this question phrased this way is because I've heard the success stories of people who leveraged to the hilt and came away winners (i.e.

Sorry for your troubles @Nick B. but I'm in the same boat as @Barbara Riley .

I'm in the same boat.

I'm in the same boat with college rentals.

Hey Anthony,I'm in the same boat, getting ready to start looking for one more property to pick by the end of the year.  

I was in the same boat 4 years ago.  

I'm actually in the same boat, so thanks for the info!

I'm in the same boat as @Kim Rock, I was super frustrated with the agents I was working with, they would use catch phrases to respond to my questions and say things like "great deals like that don't really exist in the real world."

I would do that to have a lower monthly payment, which equals higher cash flow.I'm also in the same boat as you, searching for a 2-plex to a 4-plex, I haven't been able to find anything good cash flowing properties, but it seems like the 4-plexes in my area (Vancouver, WA) are cash flowing slightly better than the 2-plexes.  

As a fellow Californian who is also looking to invest in vegas currently, I can't help but feel that I've somewhat "missed the boat" in term of timing.