I use that cash to scale up and buy more cash flowing houses with zero $ out of pocket.

THEN, I plan to purchase the second home using a FHA or conventional loan (3%-5% down), for which I will likely pay the monthly cost out-of-pocket, maybe with some rental income support if it is a duplex.My concern is, I do not want to spend my savings or weigh down my debt-to-income ratio so much so that I cannot qualify for and pay the down payment and closing for the lending on the second home.Questions: - With the first home being multi-family, 75% of the rental income (or potential rental income initially) will relatively either maintain or boost my debt-to-income ratio from lenders' perspectives, right? 

In fact, I have still been increasing my monthly ask with turnover.I agree with what @Dena Puliatti said - it is not a cash flow play in Huntsville right now whatsoever, but more of a "break even" cash flow play for appreciation.Folks, there is a LOT of dysinformation on Bigger Pockets right now about the Huntsville and Madison areas in numerous BP threads right now - more than I have ever seen in the past. 

Quote from @Joshua Janus: Cleveland, Ohio is a great market to focus on for cash flow and specific pockets have gone up 2x and upwards of 4x in the last 5-10 years even!

I'd love to own a small multi in NOLA, so if you find some good pockets and info, you'll have to let me know!

First things first--this is my FIRST bigger pockets forum post ever!

Our first event may be geared toward beginners but I’d like to have discussions at all levels & all different topics.It will only be 40 minutes long max, because that’s what my Zoom account is set up for.See our announcement on Bigger Pockets here:https://www.biggerpockets.com/...I’ll be discussing some of the most common questions people have about real estate.

Quote from @Andy Wang: Hi bigger pocket,Hope someone can help with insights on the situation.

Certain markets are softer than others but there are other pockets that are still growing quickly in value. 

I got a primary loan for around $530,000 and a second loan for $110,000 so my total out of pocket was about $10,000 for closing costs.