When you've proven your ability to handle investing in real estate, then you can focus on bigger issues.

I didn't want to worry about a tenant being careless with their use of utilities and run up a bill that I had to cover.

@Dakota Gage on a $50,000 asset the bank is going to underwrite zero income and base it solely on your ability to pay the note without any income from the property.

You could have one bad tenant and the cost could kill your ability to keep things afloat.

@Loren Oatman   Yes, as mentioned previously Cozy.co does offer screening with ability of having tenant pay the fee. 

I have lived in KC for 8 years and have had the ability to live in different places around town.

Local zoning authorities have the ability to damage an investors fee-simple ownership rights - so to speak - and there is another duplex in another local metro city I have the same problem with.Condo Conversions don't involve county government and are done through the state-level Common Interest Ownership Act by recording a condo map, declarations, and bylaws to create separate legal descriptions, which the Assessor then puts in its records. 

Speaking in broad generalities here:  IF the high loan balance is "covered" by a high enough rent it probably won't affect your loan-ability as much as you would think with a high loan balance. 

Tying up my private money with long term assets not only costs more in the short term and hurts cash flow, but limits my long term ability to secure more properties.

While it lacks the ability to scale beyond what you are capable of doing yourself (until maybe you get some bird dogs), it can definitely help you to get started.I wouldn't worry about the number of leads you generate by doing this.