If it helps, I look for rentals in C+ or better neighborhoods, and am aiming somewhere around Lee's Summit, Blue Springs, Waldo, Brookside, and Belton. 

(3) Compared to my first strategy (save up for down, buying properties in B class neighborhood), what are additional risks for my current one (pay cheaper houses in C- or D neighborhoods in cash, flip it and rent it out)? 

I have been reading a bunch of information over the last few weeks and starting to understand how some of this game works. going to be tons of fun learning and buying.

Feeling safe is totally different, personally for me, I don't feel comfortable in renting to Class C- or lower properties because of the general environment and it does not attract the kind of tenant I want.Whether you decide to buy your own place or rent to others, run the numbers, be comfortable with whatever choice you make.

It would also help those newer to real estate investing (less than 5 years for me) to know how many suits you have had vs. the amount of units and amount of time in real estate investing, as well as if the property was class A, B, C or D.

But it's a C or D neighborhood, which I'm sure you don't want.

It was far from being a war zone, it was all rented, nice people, but was a C or C- neighborhood.

A, B, C, or D type neighborhood?

A QI would be your best bet on how to handle title in a 1031 exchange.

@Kyle Anderson,That's my thought, but I have been managing my properties for over 8 years and am at a different stage of my life willing more to bet on myself. a while back realtors wouldn't speak with me either, but I can tell you its because the market here has made such a change they feel that they know what can be done and what cant.