Again - I don't know what your situation is, but mine basically consisted of 1 collection account for $178 from a medical bill, and one credit card that I loaned to an ex-girlfriend, who missed a couple payments, and scant history/trade lines. 

GRM, or gross rent multiplier is another valuation metric, but I can't seem to find it so worthwhile yet.

Lenders worry that a base of investors consisting of tapped-out IRAs couldn't step up if needed. 

@Stephen Chu - Amongst the real estate community in SF/Greater Bay Area, they're known for being amongst the worst in consistency.

Buy after 2 years of consistent price declines or when you can get in a highly desirable area with a 6.5%+ yield.  

And these are some very old people with good memories.During the same half century, there have always been the outliers claiming that this time it will be different and have consistently been wrong.  

@Jeremy VargasBest to speak with an insurance broker in your area as things could be completely different.Here things are not handled consistently for duplexes (in our experience), but for triplexes, quadraplexes and multi-unit buildings, you would typically carry "landlord" insurance on the building itself and would have renters insurance for your personal effects within your own unit.With duplexes, years ago I was advised I would require homeowners on my unit and landlord insurance on the other (it was a side-by-side with two separate lots).

When you hear that property management is what will make or break you, multiply that by 5x for this zip code. 

I would avoid properties that focus on cash based tenants.Collecting all the rent on schedule and depositing it into your account in a timely and consistent manner.Controlling costs.

It is a numbers game and being consistent day in and day out.