If you are not up to gambling with the property then you should not be  a landlord.

If you leverage to the gills then you are only pretending to understand real estate or otherwise are gambling.

So they'll weigh in on my debt-to-income ratio, but I'm hoping that my good credit will convince lenders to take the gamble and give me a lower rate. 

This is mostly used in stats without a state-level income tax like Texas.Gambling losses: Losses due to legal gambling can be deducted currently, as long as they are itemized.Interest expense: Interest paid on a debt, such as a student loan or mortgage, can be currently deducted.

I believe Andrew moved to his market and super sized it... again I would see if he can help you with some back end on how to create a landlording company Buying at the bottom after the market crash, or even near the bottom isn't gambling, it's seizing an opportunity.

I was a great consumer back then and used it to pay off debt and gamble.

Also, you may potential be leasing to a tenant that is not only comfortable with navigating through the eviction process but also skilled at how to prolong the eviction through actions such calling code enforcement for mold, claiming there is vital maintenance not corrected by landlord......If you are in even a mildly good rental area I would take a chance on younger folks with no rental history before I gambled with someone that has proved they are potential to not pay.

Perhaps a market you have some extra cultural interest, fish ,golf ,lake ,opera ,nascar, gamble ,food etc.

The incapacitated heir will be appointed a guardian ad litem to protect his 1/6th interest in his property rights.At this point, the siblings do not legally own the real estate, therefore, transfer via quick claim deed, or otherwise, is a gamble.  

They'd take a gamble that you'll do everything you can to keep that equity.