Funny thing is if you are buying a second/vacation home you can get a loan with less down even if you only spend the minimal time throughout the year.Anyway I am looking at  private funding for my next project. 

This is my first investment and first time being a land lord so I am looking for something w minimal risk.

The mid-west; specifically, Indianapolis and Kanas City have a reputation for minimal appreciation. 

I am interested in expanding my knowledge in the real estate industry to grow personally and professionally, and learn the most effective strategies for acquiring properties, exorcising best management practices to minimize for greater return on short-term and long-term real estate investments, and networking with like-minded individuals with similar goals, and share the same passion to succeed in such an exciting industry!

You can minimize your housing debt service, get a renter to pay down your mortgage and develop equity in a property. 

Based on the minimal info you provided I would rent. 

Keep in mind that the IRS tries to minimize the scope of "geographical area" so a property around the corner will count, but a property on the other side of the city may not.

How do you plan for this as a landlord and are there properties and strategies you use to minimize the effect of a migrant workforce?

Both books do a good job of giving reasons those fears may be misplaced and outlining how to do things in REI correctly in order to minimize any mistakes.

I liken 'Cash for Keys' to:- Giving the soon to be Ex lawn chairs or other heirlooms with sentimental value rather paying 2 attorneys thousands of $$'s to fight over them - Settling a lawsuit out of court for less than the cost of defenseIt certainly never feels good to give  in to the opposing party but from a practical point of view sometimes you just have to cut/minimize your losses and move on to new opportunities.Rick