You can get into 4-plex territory in landlord friendly markets for what you are planning on spending on a TH4) I notice that one of your concerns is 'enough time to manage'... have you factored PM expenses into your calcs in case you want to pass management off?

On my end I’m showing a 2.01% cash on cash return with $105 monthly cashflow with as is rents. taxes being 5900/yr repairs & maintenance 8% cap ex8% vacancy 5% management 8% My main concern is that when I do wish to cashout refinance (6-12months into the deal) with a traditional bank to pull my money out of the deal along with get a lower interest rate, the 5% prepayment fee will bite into my profits a bit too much

Your mention of a $1m max concerns me, since that is only about 10 properties and I hope to reach that this next year and a half.

Now, investors who do not properly account for a state or area's specific property tax situation can be in for a big surprise.I would be concerned about too much dependence on a military base (can't comment on Meridian MS in particular though).

Kind of concerns me, and map stats in my current area are very accurate with the maps darker and lighter colors for areas of lower and higher crime.

. $3.5kDebt-to-income concerns:Time for some napkin math for a concern that makes me worry whether this goal is actually possible...Assuming all goes as planned, I worry about eventually hitting a wall where I'm unable to qualify for new mortgages at a certain point due to how the investment properties' mortgages will affect my debt-to-income ratio. 

You could potentially go back to the inspector or maybe even the sellers if it was something material that would have made a difference on the decision to buy that was either withheld or not flagged as a concern when it should have been.

I know i need to start looking more into tax strategies.I understand that save/buy is a (relatively) slow  way to expand.. but i'm also not looking for a "Boom"I'd be hard-pressed to refi... i've decent  rates and for now i'm looking at cashflow until i'm not dependant on my W2 job ( i think  that at 7 units i could "get by"..barely) then i can  move towards being more concerned on long term wealth/retirement/equityThe rentals have their own business account that i do not dip into** I do not pay myself rent, BUT the business account does pay my personal gas/electric.from my W2 earnings i spend about $1300/mo on everything ( from car insurance to eating out), rest is savedany new downpayments are a mix of business account and savingsWith the 5 total units ( 4 rented; 1 personal use)  I "Cashflow" about  $1K/mobut that number does not account for any CapEx.What might you change/suggest about my strategy?

Tips:Texas recently passed new legislation concerning wrap lending.

I know if I break the mortgages I will have to pay fees which I am not concerned about as it won't be too high.