Lastly do keep in mind when calculating DTI the lenders do use taxes and insurance even if the property is paid off but if you have enough rental income to cover that monthly expense then you will eliminate that with that rental income.

Sure, investing when construction is nearly complete reduces risk but doesn’t eliminate it.

I even put the rent in a way to accommodate the headache, and just went back to market-based and eliminated the STR route for two of them.

You can advertise no pets which will eliminate most people and just deal with the few that do reach out. 

so you've eliminated a HUGE pool of renters. 

Eliminate debt, establish a budget, and save.

Make sure you have funds set aside for an emergency, if you have personal debt, try to eliminate as much as possible, understand what your personal balance sheet looks like in regards to monthly cash flow and net worth.Investing in real estate is investing in a business, and you need to have a good understanding of your financial picture before you begin to buy a business.I would then focus on what niche you want to start with.  

Eliminates shipping costs on big pieces this way.

Others follow the 1% rule, calculating annual maintenance costs at 1% of the property value.Property managementHiring a property manager can help to eliminate the stress of residential real estate investing.

@Alan Asriants there is no added time or added risk when buying properties that one triple net leases.All the drawbacks you mentioned are eliminated with NNN leasing owned properties.If the interest rate on the loan is low enough in relation to income received, there is no financial point in eliminating leverage, mortgage.