Your B/A areas like Munster, Dyer, Schererville, Crown Point, Highland are pretty land locked so new development is a challenge.

While downside protection is important, having a lower downpayment means I have the additional capital in my pocket anyway and I'd like to think I can get more return out of that additional fund to help with the rainy day than having it all locked up in a single Plex no?

You can lock down a property a year for 5% down, get a few under your belt and use everything you save/cash flow doing that to build up savings for the 20% down.

The other option is hard money to get a deal locked in then look to refi both homes with better turns once you have good tax return.

I did a drive by yesterday and locked the doors. 😐 It was scary. 

I thought it might be a great idea to change the locks right after the closing for obvious reasons.

The bluetooth automatic lock has me so intrigued.

Something as simple as changing locks can quickly add up.

I would try to lock in for 7-10 years with a bank.

And if you're worried about putting a property under contract you can't buy (even though the point I was making is get it under contract, then go and get the $), then at least find a deal worth doing, talk to someone about it, then get it locked up.