However some bankers look the other way and dont care as long as you have a good payment and credit history.  2) If the above is NOT allowed, then what alternatives does an investor have to protect personal assets from unscrupulous tenants who may look to go after at personal assets in case of a lawsuit?  

I was looking at the entire door lock as an alternative because those are more advanced but this may cut it!!!

Im looking at a new construction Duplex unit, will take 6 months to build.In all the reading and research the 50% rule for all expenses to me seems high for new constrcution.I'm assuming Expense will be Taxes, Repairs, Capex, Vacancy needs to be saved per month for expenses, but 5% for repairs, and another 5% for capex seems a bit high on a new Duplex, I do not want to kid myself, but I plan on holding for 3-5 years, so Im hoping no roof failure, or appliance failure 3-5 years, and first year is builder warrantyUtils will be picked by ownerNo HOA, PM will be done by myselfDoes anyone have an alternate percentage for new construction buy and hold 3-5 years.  

Im looking at a new construction Duplex unit, will take 6 months to build.In all the reading and research the 50% rule for all expenses to me seems high for new constrcution.I'm assuming Expense will be Taxes, Repairs, Capex, Vacancy needs to be saved per month for expenses, but 5% for repairs, and another 5% for capex seems a bit high on a new Duplex, I do not want to kid myself, but I plan on holding for 3-5 years, so Im hoping no roof failure, or appliance failure 3-5 years, and first year is builder warrantyUtils will be picked by ownerNo HOA, PM will be done by myselfDoes anyone have an alternate percentage for new construction buy and hold 3-5 years.

Both the solo 401k and the IRA allow for investing in alternative investments like real estate.

For a new person interested in investing, the podcasts were a generous alternative to the various books that have been suggested and extremely helpful (looking at you Rich Dad, Poor Dad).  

(I am by nature a saver).

Rates can be further exacerbated if the rental is located in an area prone to natural disasters like earthquakes, flooding or fire, which can require additional levels of insurance.

And being a detail-oriented kinda guy, I naturally gravitate towards failure avoidance by knowing as much as possible about the numbers.I looked at a few of the online property management course, but from an outsiders POV, they all kinda look the same. 

@Francesca Tran, If the seller has alternate sources of cash he can simply sell to you on an installment sale and start his 1031 exchange.