About 98% of my investment clients are not local and probably 95% have never visited Indianapolis or IN, so they rely on me heavily for this kind of information.

Does this mean that this property would not be that heavily considered when determining whether or not we can get another mortgage?

Essentially, if you structure the plan properly and have a substantial amount (or even a smaller amount over time is great and is what I am doing to get started) to contribute to plan, so long as you're insurable, you can open a policy, fund it heavily (but within tax guidelines to ensure tax-free growth and withdrawals), and then LOAN yourself the money to invest into your deals.Done correctly, you do in fact put your money to work in 2 places at once!

The tenant laws in New York State heavily favor the tenants over the landlords and NYC is even worse.

Over the next 5 years I think there will be a lot of equity growth in that area as it's being heavily developed.

I've found that the tenant i have in place in my first rental (a modular home on pier & beam) saw the elevation as key in her mind for this same reason, she feels her stuff is safer in the home.As I expand my rental portfolio as weigh heavily the pier and beam foundation for simplicity, I believe all else being equal that a pier and beam foundation provides a more secure investment.

I have roots in Toledo so I rely on them heavily. 

We're heavily flipping/wholesaling/holding in the area.

The risk of fires does weigh heavily on my mind when thinking of investing in California, especially after the recent Caldor fire.

In the 22 years since we have modified it heavily from the lessons learned both from ourselves and others.