If you raise 5% and lose a month you will have a net loss.

Theyre expensive, but you wont lose your home to foreclosure unless you move out, stop paying taxes/insurance, or fail to maintain it. 

All calculations suggest great investment for 4 bed 3 bath in good school zone, however once the tax estimator goes from $2200 to $9500 due to lose of tax credit from not being a primary residence it hard to see how to get property in SC.

If you lose 20% to the PM, then you still have 30~40% profit. 

The WORST result for you would be losing your EMD which is exactly what happens if you don’t go to court.

Real estate investing is a team sport and at different points in the game different players will play more important roles.

If you build a buyer's list and you send them deals where the repair costs aren't close, you will lose them.

but, should you buy a money pit and lose thousands or tens of thousands of dollars? 

Managing and owning property is a constant process of losing the battle to win the war. 

You can earn strong appreciation but also lose a lot as the entire state becomes increasingly hostile to landlords.