My goals are to provide financial freedom for my future family and establish a sustainable safety net if physical limitations prevent me from retiring from my current W-2s.

Look into a DSCR loan that uses the property's cashflow instead of your personal income to qualify.This is a tax free move as you are using debt plus you still benefit from all the benefits of still owning the first house.Your future self will thank you for stacking houses this way as your cashflow and equity will build up over time creating long-term wealth.To Your Success!

Using smart financing like portfolio loans or refinancing after value-add improvements can free up your capital for future investments.Diversify property types – I’ve seen investors get stuck in one type of rental (e.g., single-family homes) and miss out on opportunities in duplexes or small multifamily.

Yes, I have some factors going against me, but I hope by overcoming obstacles now will prepare me for greater things in the future.  

I'm doing everything I can to learn about real estate investing (mainly via reading), and there are concerns I have about my future in this field, that I want some more clarification on, and better yet creative solutions.

I'm hoping they will be more transparent with me in the future.

Having said that, I renewed my excellent tenants with increases to make sure I’m as close to market as I can be -knowing that future increases will be limited.

But it wasn't until a pivotal moment that I realized the importance of taking control of my financial future.

Real estate is tangible and given market conditions, your specific area is poised for a significant amount of growth in the future.

Getting to know the towns, neighborhoods, streets and actual properties is essential and far more important than just one town name versus another.At this point, you don't know anything about your future tenant, so I wouldn't assume they are trying to get to the city.