I roof here, a driveway there, an HVAC system there, a foundation repair elsewhere could eat through that easily.I would assess the condition of all major systems on each property and plan to have enough cash to replace each of them at the end of their useful life with some cushion for emergencies. 

Keep the recourse low-rate fixed structures given properties are generating enough CF cushion to protect against a rainy day or refi with a portfolio loan to get rid of the recourse nature of the properties?

Keep the recourse low-rate fixed structures given properties are generating enough CF cushion to protect against a rainy day or refi with a portfolio loan to get rid of the recourse nature of  the properties?

Gives you a little cushion and long range perspective. 

Some investors with lots of experience / risk tolerance / cushions are able to make decisions about properties without seeing the inside - this is more common with houses being sold at auction for example. 

Earn like a King and spend like a penniless pauper.Do this until you get your down payment, plus some cushion money saved up.Do you see a pattern here (???)

I would give yourself a cushion if and when there is a reassessment.

Owner later says to me after I havent responded to their text message after 4 hours because Im running calculations, "terms of the contract can be somewhat negotiable".After calculating for a long term rental I found that only having to pay above mentioned figures minus all utilities except for trash monthly ($25/mo avg for my area) I would have to rent this 4 bed 2 bath 2,044 SF home for $1500 a month minimum to not CF negatively and I would have no cushion to drop price of rent was too high in order to rent it out.

Though, even through house hacking, not having any capital cushioning me in the event I have a room(s) go vacant for too long makes me extremely uncomfortable, and I'd rather just wait until I'm able to invest without so much risk rather than getting in over my head and setting myself back with even MORE debt.     

I’m not buying until late summer when I have a good cash cushion but I’m going to be on the hunt for cheaper properties that cashflow well.