Then I became an accidental landlord in 2009 and rented the property out at negative cash flow about -$300.  

I just don’t know what it is.Would buying a new rental/starting a new rehab positively or negatively affect your leverage?

The rule is based on a LOT of statistical evidence over time.

I don’t want to go into my first property in the negative by losing him/her.

Either way, my rough calculations tell me that you will be in negative cash flow territory from day one, with no assurances of anything to change that for the better any time soon.

(Sellers Agent will give you the same sort of statistics that you might get from a Seminar Guru - asking you to pay for their next Program, to receive even greater goodies)!  

Anyone have any good recommendations on websites that might provide some details about crime in a specific area?  I've seen the info on Trulia and that seems pretty good but if that is as accurate as their market valu...

That will mention someone so they are informed you messaged them.On the other note you really shouldn't consider keeping a negative cash flowing property. it doesn't just cost you a few dollars.

If I buy this property at $75K, put 20% down with a conventional 30 yr, and achieve $1k/mo in rent (which is what comps for this type of property)... the following #s is what I see at a high level:- Principal & Interest: $293/mo-Tax : $150/mo-Insurance (est): $50/moTotal PITI: $493Est Expenses (50% Rule): $500-----------------------------------------Total Expense + PITI = $993/moIncome ($1k rent w/ 9% Vacancy Loss): $910/moCashflow in this scenario is negative.. with 1.3%  rent/price ratio.Even with a sales price of something like $55K (1.8% rent/price ratio), this doesn't cash flow.Now with the same above scenario, using est 30% expense assumption cashflows $180/mo.Am I being too conservative on expenses for a ~1,200 sq ft. brick bungalow ?

I unfortunately bought it near the height of the RE bubble and it is now negative cash-flowing and basically unsellable anytime soon.