For example, should we focus on acquiring one high-quality property in a strong market, or would it make more sense to spread the investment across multiple lower-cost units in emerging areas?

Further context, I have zero debt, high 700s credit score, one other investment property here locally. 175k in cash available, looking to do DSCR loans or cash and then refinance.Peoria, Illinois- Great need for lower income housing, market appears to have many options.Lawton, Oklahoma- Looking only at extremely cheap properties, as it seems it’s not terribly hard to find renters.

Their ability to recover their money should you default is much lower in this position.

No guaranteed way to stop a determined, experienced thief:(Only deterrents that push them to easier jobs.The roof may be a good idea - until they figure out the just need a ladder to get up there and a rope to lower it down. 

You'll get a feel for the age of the neighborhoods, the vitality of the commercial buildings, the ease of location, the closeness to jobs.The markets you're describing are more linear, and usually have lower capital appreciation.

It's pretty easy to see that real estate proces peaked around 2007-2008 and then crashed during the Great Recession.Around 2011-2012 prices started to recover and got back to their pre-Crash highs around 2015-2016, but really 2018-2019 when adjusted.So, why are newbies reading books written BEFORE 2019 and thinking that you can still successfully invest using the EXACT advice in these relatively "old" books?

They lower taxable income for federal taxes but not for FICA.However, employer contributions made by the S-Corp are not subject to FICA and count as a business expense.Make sure your W-2 correctly reports wages, deferrals, and FICA wages.

I would recommend considering conventional financing until you reach Fannie Mae's limit of 10 properties, then consider either a portfolio loan, and start your race to 10 again, or look at DSCR at that time. 

Depreciation lowers taxable income now but is subject to recapture at a maximum 25% rate when the property is sold.

If you're using a DSCR loan to purchase the home, most lenders use the lower of the lease agreement or 100% of the market rent from the appraisal form 1007 to determine the DSCR.