.- Keep noise at dinner conversation levels and do not play loud music at any time.

We personally enjoy walking to dinner, drinks, the park, and groceries when we run out of a thing or two in the middle of the week, so for us walk score is important.

I do not watch TV, even during dinner...

There is just a lot that COULD go wrong, and if the deal goes sideways that could make for some very uncomfortable Thanksgiving day dinners if you know what I mean.

If your personal financial situation is strong, such as you have a very high paying job, but have a high quality lifestyle that you could pull back $100 dinners for a few months if you needed to absorb a blow, you can have less cash and vis versa. 

My kids are little and I dont miss a school event or a dinner at home which is frankly the biggest freedom Im enjoying.I tried changing spark plugs on boat and ended up breaking a fuel pump so maybe your husband is a little more handy than me so he can find other avenues of accomplishment lol.

@Jason V. curious question; do you go out for dinner ever?

Buy a lot in a Development, preferrably as construction is BEGINNING....shop around, check out the deed restrictions, make sure it's what U would think about KEEPING & maybe even building there Yourself....hold onto it until 2-3-4 houses are either completed or under construction....check out the price....if it hasn't doubled since there was "nothing", I'll buy You dinner (& buy that lot 4 5% over what U paid for it)This isn't "rocket science", it's smarter, & Lord Knows, safer!

I know when I first got started venturing down this path, I was all over the place without a real defined or clear plan.Sorry to make my response to you about food, but I kinda equate this experience in getting started in large apartments, and for that matter any type of real estate investing where you are getting started, to going to dinner at an all you can eat buffet. 

Well put NC Mark, it sometimes reminds me of a family Thanksgiving DInner too!