.- We do have incomes that allow us to offset the negative cash flow and do have a reserve fund for both properties that cover unexpected maintenance, capex, and vacancies.Our goals in the next few years:- Refinance rate to the 4-5% range for Triplex (our lender allows us to recalibrate our interest rate based on base rates for an $800 fee).- This would drop PITI and allow for the property to break even/cash flow with monthly payments.- This would allow our portfolio to cashflow upwards of $2500-$3000/m if we were moved out of all units.- We would then use that to round into another property that we would then move into.- There is the potential as well to increase principal paydown through the excess profits from my company, allowing for a lower monthly payment.I guess I’m seeing what other investors’ strategies are for markets that don’t quite have cash flow yet but are trying to buy in, even if they don’t have cash flow at first.Is this even a strategy investors are implementing at the moment in order to get into properties that may be able to be acquired at a “discount”, or are we a very small minority of people who are pursuing a path like this?

You'll also want to make sure you'll still have enough money on hand to handle any unexpected financial setbacks that might come up.

Hello, 1st time posting, though I've been living and breathing allthings Bigger Pockets for the past 6 months.  My husband and I are new REI, just closed on a 4 plex found off market using seller financing in March, '...

There have also been a **** ton of expected and unexpected issues with the house so I really need to increase my reserve to further protect myself.I still want to continue investing but my current funds are nowhere near where they need to be to consider using my own money to get into the second property.

Accidents. ...3.

We all know lenders can be shady especially when it comes to re-trades, last minute bait-n-switches, unexpected closing costs, or the infamous "we'll get back to you in 24-48 hours" line. 

Could be an auto accident headed to court, it is unknown if the owner will be liable.  

The other part of your post indicates that you do not have cash on hand and your parents’ unexpected medical bills “and so on” suggests to me that you facing monthly expenses that are not predictable and full of surprises.

Like @ChrisSeveney said before already, worse neighborhoods will often come with more unexpected/miscellaneous expenses.

@Steve Kontos I am from NYC priced out of nyc thinking of investing out of state can you share some tips if u were starting out new like me ... what steps would u take to minimize costly mistakes cash flow is super important to me appreciation as well but need more monthly cash flow so thinking of only investing in 4 plex to create cushion if things go wrong with tenants or unexpected high price item breakdowns