I don't think it's a question of being aggressive or conservative, but rather a timing question.If you have your eyes set on something you can invest in right now, go ahead and use that money for that.

Do you have your eye on a lot already?

Have to have a keen eye .I have taken people out to deals I have gotten that didn't look vacant so they can see what I look for.

They may gauge your eye$ once in a while, but so it goes...These repairs can wear you down. 

This would convert the sale into an "installment sale" in the eyes of the IRS which would spread the gain over the period of the sale.Theoretical example:Purchase price: $10kRenovations: $0 (to simplify)Sale price: $20kNote: 8% over 10 years with 10k down. $10k sale price, $121/mo for 120 months.Period between purchase/sale: 6 monthsSince the note is over 10 years would the payments beyond year 1 be taxed at capital gains rates or my regular income if this were held in an LLC?

I live in a pretty expensive market so this property caught my eye.  

We definitely got to reconnect and catch up! 

So I’m a new to REI, but I have my eye on a duplex in KS and am currently living in NC.

I agree that vacancy is harder to estimate, and talking to local PM or two like @Nathan G. suggested can give you a solid bird's eye view of the market.  

@Michael Heisterkamp a boom box blasting Carly Rae Jepson’s 2011 hit “Call Me Maybe” on repeat, combined with wearing some of the masquerade masks from Eyes Wide Shut might have a similar effect.