Also will continue to pick up the right 1-4 unit buildings, although my end goal is to be consolidated into fewer buildings or "higher-end" SFHs.I am always down to talk to people about their experiences in RE over a coffee or beer and make the right connections.  

Would it be an issue if I was self-performing a majority of the work myself?

Real estate is not a bag of coffee beans or a truck load of shoes, it is treated differently than personal property. 

., yes septic (which also worries me with the rain...just got serviced in May and supposedly in good shape...passed FHA inspection...but who knows...it'll be an adventure...just have to keep a lot in reserves I guess) and propane.  

I have also heard that financing (mortgages through banks) can be an issue when one decide to keep buying rental properties one after the other.

Whoops, that was supposed to be an introduction :)

A large reason for that with "newbies" is they don't know what they want, and where to start once they know.My first question for you would be:  Do you want to be an "active" or "passive" real estate investor?

This can be an emotional drain on you.

It used to be an incredibly effective way of raising your score.

Will costs be an issue?