Disagree (2): if you have multiple SFR's that mitigates the monthly loss in the same way have a multifamily property does. 2) Not sure.

Instead, you should calculate and measure the risks then take steps to mitigate them.Saying no to taking risk means you have carefully and thoroughly evaluated the financial risk and decided the payoff isn't high enough to move forward.

Thanks for the feedback, I certainly have been very fortunate to have the job that I have had and it has made a lot of this possible, its kind of like investing with a net, I was able to take a lot of the risks that I did because in the back of my mind I always knew that no matter what I had a stable income coming in that mitigated a lot of my risk. 

How do others mitigate the risk of doing this?

I know having/knowing people in the area to vet these properties and lay eyes on them is a big part of mitigating the risk associated with out-of-state rentals. 

They responded that it is not illegal to require renters insurance in Kansas and is a best practice in risk mitigation.  

I contacted the listing agent,on my property, and received a lot of information since she was the one who sold the home to the foreclosed owners  There is no reason you can not knock on the door and see if their are occupants and maybe get a peek inside The fact that you know the home and the work that has been done mitigates your risk somewhat.  

Any actual risk mitigated effectively by such a plan is often negligible depending on the situation.

My initial strategy to purchase one home, rent, move to the next, was to mitigate some of the risk of purchasing multiple doors at once out of state.

I'm hoping I am not overlooking things and am trying to mitigate risk ;) any insight greatly appreciated.