I know I had triple checked my numbers, asked myself a ton of questions, and had a lot of self doubts. 

So you have to look at it the way you will run it , but don't kid your self and have the numbers believe what you want.  

If you do want to sell a property or two to 1031 exchange, I would find your most problem properties and/or those far away to be difficult to self manage to sell.

Leveraging saves your cash assets, but becomes a disincentive to the next banker you talk to.As long as you're dealing with SFRs (and 2-4s) with conventional financing, the CONS kill your next deal as your DTI goes through the roof.Move into Commercial Financing (portfolio loans) and 5+ units and your DTI will no longer be a deficit to you as the properties themselves are self-supporting - - that's what the DSCR number proves to the lender.

It makes me able to self manage.

@ryan @Ryan Jones once you get past his self promotion Ken Dunn has great advice.

Such acts and omissions include, but are not limited to, the following:(1) Manufacture, cultivation, importation, transportation, possession, furnishing, administering, or use of illegal drugs in the dwelling unit or in the common areas.(2) Illegal use, manufacture, importation, possession, furnishing, or discharging of a firearm or firearm ammunition on the premises of the rental property, except for the use or discharge of a firearm or firearm ammunition in cases of self-defense, defense of a third party, or as permissible in Section 13A-3-23.(3) Criminal assault of a tenant or guest on the premises of the rental property, except in cases of self-defense, defense of a third party, or as permissible in Section 13A-3-23.(4) Any breach involving substantially the same acts or omissions as a breach for which a notice to terminate has previously been provided for by the landlord and cured by the tenant, if the second breach occurs within six months of the first breach.

(keep in mind, some asset classes are more tax efficient than others, such as my personal favorite, mobile home parks)Retirement-account friendly: Passive investments can be a great fit for retirement accounts because they are hands off and don't violate rules related to prohibited transactions and self-dealing.

Many people do this, for example, buy helping aunts/uncles/family friends with retirement accounts from previous jobs set up a self-directed IRA which can then loan on the project (though see handsoffmyira.com for an important and immanent legislative threat to this funding model).I honestly feel like a lot of it does come down to the purchase price though.

This is a great forum with very knowledgeable members that will help to guide you in the right direction.If you haven’t been to it already, the Bigger Pockets blog features links to their fantastic podcast and many great articles: https://www.biggerpockets.com/renewsblog/There are a few self-contained guides that you can access here: https://www.biggerpockets.com/guides