I am new to Real Estate Investing and currently own one single family rental in Colorado Springs which was previously my primary residence while stationed in Colorado.

In addition, it would be helpful to talk to the exiting residents and see how much appetite there is for them to own and to get a sense for their financial strength.Hope this helps.

Someone told me Poway is paying residence to put them on their property which is crazy.      

I am in almost the same set up as you, a flat 2/1's, and a carriage house that I reside in. 

Heres an update:The townhouse I currently reside in is paid off. 

You can talk to a private investor, but not sure I see a big enough profit in your deal to take it on.Start living like no one else does, get a second job or a better job, so you can save $20-30K and you can make this happen.I've had to pass on two deals 'cause I didn't have the cash to put 'my skin in the game' (just put $70k into buying a primary residence).

If I own 4 rental properties, could I still co-sign on a 5th property under my wife’s name for a primary residence?

Or is it considered a primary residence in anyway?

I honestly wish I would have stumbled across BP 6 months ago before purchasing my primary residence.

We have a $490K mortgage (3.5% fixed) and a $140K HELOC (4.5% variable; used to renovate residence and buy vacation rental).