Knowing more about the rental market (has it grown as fast as sales prices?) 

Last year, Tucson saw 5,300 new jobs and this year, the projection has grown to 7,100, with rumors of even more on the horizon in 2018.

I like that think that the relationship of trust we have grown has made him feel more comfortable investing with me, and that in turn gives me more of an advantage when chasing deals. 

I'm planning on the future, and do I need 4b now, no, but I hope I will, and I can afford it.I just think I see friends in their early 30's rushing to buy homes when they could've waited, saved, or bought a house (that maybe needed some work for the same price) that they could've grown into. 

Golf has grown so much, especially in AZ. 

All the best.Exactly that is how I would approach it with family and friends, not worth the risk in an established relationship that could have grown if approached correctly.

I was a little disappointed to see that the population hasn't really grown in the Poughkeepsie area and that the job market/economy seemed a little down. 

I was going to tell you not to get discouraged if things are hard or don't go well... but I'm the kind of person that doesn't believe stuff like that needs to be said to a grown man.

You can use portfolio loans later after you've grown your empire to 10 houses.

One thing that was not addressed in this thread: Your wife was crushed at the thought of leaving the house that she's grown to love... but she never considered the idea that she could love another house just as much or more!