The risk is very small from what is seen and I fear that in those cases it is not difficult for a lawyer to pierce the vail due to most possibly being poorly set up.Assuming one is a competent landlord investor and their property is properly maintained there is little risk aside from frivolous suits and investors in highly litigious states where the courts support ridiculous law suits.

Unless you know those pockets, it is difficult to generalize an entire neighborhood. 

I feel like I am on the right path because the three properties I wanted to make an offer on were quickly sold before I pulled the trigger.One of the most difficult things for me to find is a property which still needs improvements so I can increase the value to justify raising rents and accomplishing a proper BRRRR, but one that does not need a complete tear out and remodel. 

It works fine for me because I just use it to fit my schedule but I think it would be difficult to use in a conventional sense.

We are moving soon anyway (work move), so it would not be difficult for us at this time. 

@Scott Lyons it’s getting more difficult in that area to find good deals!

Carry a small balance and pay the minimum bill plus a little extra each month.

I'm thinking for a purchase where I live I would need to do a renovation loan (though in this competitive market it would be difficult to get under contract) or use hard money and then refi out of it post rehab.

When you decide to sell in the future you will have a difficult time because others will see things the same way I see them.

Or would you wait and try to find a good combination unit to live in / rent out, but possibly face +1 to +2% interest rates.There seem to be a few locations where I might be able to roughly breakeven if I move out 1-2 years from now and rent it out, but they are in suburban areas that far from DC, and as a single guy in his late 30's, it concerns me that I'd end up being a hermit.How would you balance lifestyle vs. investing at this point?