Worst case scenario is where a seller does a lipstick on a pig repair such as just parging over it and then not disclosing the issue because you might get the sale price but open yourself to future liability when something happens. 

I point this out not to denigrate Ray, but to illustrate how so often it's very difficult to predict the future of real estate.

The day you start siphoning cash flow out of your real estate portfolio, you are stifling future growth.

I am afraid we will fall for a property with a false sense of a good deal.Are there any suggestions to help me run an analysis that would better account for the larger down payment and allow me to better analyze potential properties in the future.

Protecting yourself from any future issues will require a good understanding of the situation your house is in when you buy it.Tl;dr: crime here is relatively low, declining population numbers don't take students into account, properties are cheap, rents are high BUT be careful where you buy.This concludes my TED Talk, ha!

They argue that the first few years maintenance would be insignificant since the properties are renovated, and so you're essentially stashing that money away for the future maintenance needs. 

Further, a paid off purchase does not preclude me from refinancing in the future.

But young, broke, and hungry lots of times has the future in their eyes, their motivated and determined.   

Ensure the property appraises at its updated post-renovation value to maximize the equity you can pull out.A refinance isn’t a taxable event, but transferring ownership to your LLC may affect depreciation or future capital gains.

My purpose behind my decision to pursue REI is to gain financial freedom for wife and I, my future family as well as have the ability to make sure my parents are well taken care of once they reach the retirement age.If I had to label myself I’d want to be known as an open minded rental investor for all long term, mid term and short term investing, with the occasional flip for quicker capitol to put back into another rental.