I have transacted at least 5000 properties as a flipper developer and lender and I have had one instance of this. were someone recorded a mortgage 5 minutes before my loan went on record so when I got my title policy I was in second instead of first made a claim to my title insurer and they rectified it quickly and went after the bad guy criminally. 

Not sure If I am allowed to share with you my email address on the open forum, but I'll DM you so we can connect!

I've been thinking about how to best utilize my current residence.

just my 2 cents.

As I’m not very familiar with the US market, I’m doing my own due diligence.Any thoughts or advice on these markets or others I should consider as well as any other considerations? 

Wholly agree with Jonathan, my broker is invaluable to me.

More stable in my opinion, just read up on current restrictions or coming restrictions.

That $125 a year could become 16 cents a year at the drop of an activist psudo-judges gavel.Just my 2 cents.

@Lex Layton  Similar to Peter's experience above, for my first investment property the partner put up the downpayment, and I got the loan in my name. 

My hope is to finance 50% of the purchase.