I think the loan pay down, tax benefits, cash flow, and appreciation make rentals a fantastic investment.  

TP is a fantastic place to live, but an awful place to be an landlord.

If it was that simple, with that fantastic of an LTV, just being a rental wouldn't make all of these lenders turn you down.

It's like signing a one year lease in exchange for a fantastic and relatively low risk shot at tens of thousands, if not hundreds of thousands of dollars in tax-free profit and a flip with training wheels while you live in the place. 

By this last statement I mean - if you have a relationship with a lawyer, accountant, or tax professional, ask them for a referral to another in their field who may be particularly experienced in real estate investing (best if they do it themselves) and suited to your personal situation and needs.I recommend that you seek business insurance from a local provider in a similar manner.And you should build relationships with one or more realtors - also in a similar manner.Hope to see you at an upcoming REI gathering - usually the attire is business professional and the atmosphere is casual - but the participants are highly focused on REI and success (theirs - and yours).  

I would also like to take the time to thank @Joshua Dorkin and @Brandon Turner for making this fantastic website that has taught me so much!

Creative financing is a fantastic way to get started.

@Sean Tarpenning is a fantastic option in Kansas City.

Making a goal to purchase your first buy and hold rental in 2017 sounds fantastic.

This is fantastic closing attorney:Kevin Schmitt, Esq.