But how does this actually play out in practice?

@Sameer Jain Thanks for sharing your situation.I would say that the key challenge when investing in SFRs (especially in the Bay Area market) other than the valuations are the actual management of these properties.

@Kim Tucker Thanks Kim, I actually just told my wife 10 minutes ago that I'm going to attend the meeting on Tuesday night for the first time.

You've locked up the house and it's during the inspection period, it's much more likely you'll actually own the place as opposed to a house you're merely bidding on.

IF appreciation happened to be 3% instead of 2%, that would actually boost returns 2.5% at that leverage ratio. 

Thanks guys, this actually makes me feel better.

You have actually been talking with my husband @Matthew Hipp recently.

As long as you have some sort of income to document your that you were actually Self Employed and not "Self Employed".

I've begun to wonder if my initial dislike towards properties with CDD & HOA fees would actually be a good idea considering they have community pools.

We're actually scheduled to meet tonight, if you can make it?