Hi @Frank Konsella here's some info on Huntsville. let me know if I can help in any way.Now Alabama’s largest city, Huntsville’s military (Redstone Arsenal), space (NASA), telecommunications (ADTRAN, AT&T), biotechnology (Hudson Alpha), diversified manufacturing (Toyota/Mazda, Polaris) and a variety of emerging specialties provide challenging work (#5 Best Places for Career Opportunities) in delightful surroundings (#3 Best Places to Live in the US).

I quickly figured out that I couldn’t afford to pay them on an EMT’s salary…even while working at the primary job (Hospital Emergency Room), having a part time job with a private ambulance company, and working as a finish carpenter with my buddy.

Make a plan, save for an emergency and execute! 

Side note- I also suggest an emergency fund to go with your first investment property, never know what things are going to cost you!

So my approach is this: Be smart, don't over-leverage (listen to people like Jon and pay homage to the 50% rule), and take Dave Ramsey's approach as much as possible: have an emergency fund, create a budget, tackle (snowball, as Dave says) your credit card debt, and stop living beyond your means.

Emerging? 

(a) A landlord may enter the dwelling unit only in thefollowing cases:(1) In case of emergency.(2) To make necessary or agreed repairs, decorations, alterationsor improvements, supply necessary or agreed services, or exhibit thedwelling unit to prospective or actual purchasers, mortgagees,tenants, workers, or contractors or to make an inspection pursuant tosubdivision (f) of Section 1950.5.(3) When the tenant has abandoned or surrendered the premises.(4) Pursuant to court order.

First, you want to have your emergency fund set aside (for most people this is 3-6 months income).

Emergency patchwork needed to be done before this big storm arrived so this morning I was able to get my handyman and we applied roof patch on some tiles that were definitely compromised.

We currently have about 300k equity in our current home, 45k liquid we could invest in a home without touching emergency cash reserves.