But my biggest fear was starting out; taking out a loan or using savings for the initial investment, and hoping that everything works out.

If you operate your business professionally and follow all the regulations being taken to court will teach your ex tenant a nasty lesson and cost them money.If you make a mistake and have to pay some money back it is still better than offering money you do not owe out of fear, always make them work for it.

I am happy that I did not let my fear prevent me from the purchase. 

Nothing stops the middle class from making better investments beyond their decision making skills and their fear of risk.

Please remember that people, including investors, often make decisions or fail to make decisions based on fear and the unknown.  

Per my contract I am within the inspection period, as this is my first transaction I am not trusting the contract and just have my own fears.  

There is a bit of the good old boys club with appraisers, your in or your out type thing with Dodd Frank, so they run the numbers by the books and don't get risky out of fear of losing work themselves.I only do commercial loans.

I am in Glen Carbon, IL, so a trip to West County is not too bad, but after dinner with drinks, I fear the drive.

Thanks for the input @Steven Hamilton II Thats honestly what I had feared, but I was a late filer filing for my first time so I didn't ask the appropriate questions, and was just in a rush to get them done (not smart!) 

I've been interested in investing in real estate for many years, but ultimately I let fear get in the way.