Once you get past that...Now, you have lenders with cash they can afford to lose. 

Thankyou for the advice, priorities right now are to settle into life back home while continuing to save and network until I’m ready to pull the trigger on my first deal ( maybe once the uncertainty of COVID 19 has settled ) I think I often fall into the trap a lot of youngsters do of wanting flash new cars way before you can realistically afford them. 

Tenant-2 wants to stay in the house and finish out the lease (which is only a few more months) but he can only afford half the rent payment.  

Because anyone who can afford $2200 in rent can easily afford a $200k house. 

I couldn't afford to hire contractors for the kitchen, bathroom, electrical work, and garage repairs.

Sometimes in Chicago, if you can afford it, a good find is a block with nosy neighbors & you've bought 2 or 3 of the ugly houses & the block captains become your security for those homes.

How much can you afford, whether it be cash or with financing. 

More affordable properties will remain in the suburbs especially on the east side of the metro area.

One big issue is that, at current rents, I'm losing money (I can afford it but of course would prefer not to have to).

Since I got a great deal on the house and could afford to lose $10k, I lent him the money.