To combat this: market the property well, be transparent, secure a great flood insurance rate so a buyer can know the cost and be able to transfer the policy.5) no flood zone AE does nothing to rental rates6) if the insurance rate seems high then get a flood cert and maybe it will decrease.

I’d also prioritize getting pre-approved, securing financing, and starting small to build experience and momentum.Good luck!

It is the interest rates at which banks lend to each other and is short for Secured Overnight Financing Rate. 

I can also allow a tenant to grow with me - just moved a family from a two bedroom to a three bedroom apartment.Personally the only reasons I would choose to invest in multiple markets is a) because I wanted an excuse to go somewhere regularly or b) for economic/geographic diversity.I had the advantage that my home market was good.

Legal Protection – It's important to have a solid contract in place, typically a promissory note and a security agreement that outlines the loan terms, interest rates, repayment schedules, and collateral (often the property being financed).

I have been part of a regular meetup for a couple years now and it definitely helps ground you in your local market.

If you are organized enough to forsee hang ups and talk with your GC about potential challenges on a regular basis, two brains are better than one.

2.Are there strategies to reduce the required down payment or secure better mortgage terms?

We don’t try further diversification by investing in residential mortgage loans, mortgage loans secured by property outside the U.S., loans not secured by real estate, or loans secured by farmland, recreational land, or oil and gas ,mining.  

Key point is WITH a SECURED border to stop the flood of 100k-300k monthly illegls.