I'm assessing properties including the costs of a PM, especially as I start out.A bit of background - I have a very stable job and debt free except for my house.

Lowe's has more choices, especially at the higher end, and more up-to-date styles.Sometimes HD's lower prices work against them - if they are sold out, I can go to Lowe's and find the item on the shelf, for those times when having it today is worth a 5%-10% price premium.Around here, HD also has tool rental (in some stores), and truck rental. 

Once she completed her training she was able to improve her financial position and become a more stable tenant.

i think the 1% rule or 2% rule for that matter will continue to exist. maybe not in texas eventually but somewhere else like in the case now. where property prices increase in one area , these remain stable or decreases in other states. same with property taxes.

Ended up purchasing 10 rental units and all are cash flowing beautifully and stabled.3.

I want to be able to run my life, be with my family and be financially stable. 

After filing that second tax return my lender will count the rental income as stable, steady income.  

Your job as an entrepreneur, if you see yourself as such, is to figure out how to put that money to work.Having said that, ask yourself the following - would it be easier to attract other people's money to $30,000 pigs, or a better class and more stable asset?  

This site has so much information-its amazing-I am new investor looking to pick up a rental property in the Dallas Texas Area-I live out of state and my motivation for the texas area is I have my family there for the necessary support with this business and the pretty awesome deals out there-However I am torn between all the available options-SFR, MFR, Wholesale deal-I have been dabbling in that market for a couple of months and have been pretty indecisive-should I spend more time researching, Should I start with SFR or take the plunge into MFR (4-unit), Bank Financing is not the issue, nor is the downpayment-it is the fear of making a mistake with the property purchase, Here is one that I am tempted to pick up and wanted your insight4 Unit Rental, 250K, 1985 built, Stable neighbourhood-Fairly good schools, Gross Rent-34,800, Owner pays Garbage+ Water+ Sewer=2500/yearWhat do you all think?

Keep the full time job - not only do you get your paycheck and benefits.....when you apply for a mortgage to purchase properties, the Lender is more likely to look upon you favorably if you have a stable income.