So your saying select No Damage Protection and just submit an extra charge when it's warranted? 

If you have a savings account earning less than 7.5%, no need to have a savings account when you have extra funds available to you in your heloc.

Your target metros make sense, and direct flights are a convenience, but if Columbus or Huntsville offer better returns, they’re worth considering despite the extra travel.For OOS investing, a property manager is highly recommended, especially for a first-time investor.

BEAUTIFUL DUPLEX IN THE HEART OF MIAMI THIS PROPERTY IS SO UNIQUE IT HAS A AUD 1/1 ON THE SIDE THAT BRINGS IN AN EXTRA 1100 !

You said, "I'll have to put in extra of my own money for reserves..."

Also get rid of the cat or you'll be charged an additional $xxx fee and an extra $xx/month.

One effective strategy to maximize unit potential is to explore opportunities for adding extra units, especially in C-Class properties.

They’re built for heavy use and have faster drying times—usually 30–45 minutes—without needing major electrical changes.If you’re up for a bigger investment, adding extra stackable units in the garage could be a great long-term fix, though it’ll mean some electrical work and setting up proper ventilation.I’d probably go for the commercial upgrade in your current space first—it’s quicker and might solve the bottleneck right away.

The goal is to minimize unnecessary usage and prevent extra costs, rather than blindly paying whatever bill comes in.

If heat goes out in the winter we drop off several units, so they can be placed in different parts of the house - including every room with water like kitchen and bathrooms.We also have dehumidifiers, carpet blowers, shop vacs, puddle-sucker pumps, extra hoses, extra sump pumps with battery pack, squeegees, and portable AC units ready to deploy.