Ideally I'd like to flip houses to fund my acquisition of rental properties, and use the rental income to get out of the "rat race".

Lots of factors to consider, many already mentioned by others.

On conventional loans for investment properties I know they try to stick to around 45%, but will go up to 50% with high compensating factors (credit score 720+, high cash reserves).

But unfortunately that is theoretical, and you also have to factor in transaction costs of selling and buying something else, tax implications (1031?)

Hello everyone,I was wondering what most of you real estate investors would consider the "ideal" number of properties to be able to quit your job and live comfortably without having the NEED to pick up another property.

But if it will cost a lot, be sure to factor that in to how much you want to charge for a month to month.

If you borrow from your 401k, a lender will want to make sure your current income(without the rent from the property you're buying) will be able to handle the new Principal, Interest, Tax and Insurance payments on the new place on top of the 401k loan monthly payment.When you run your numbers on a potential property, factor that 401k loan into your debt expenses so you're not running in the negative every month (defeating the cash flow purpose).

Depends on how much cash you need.These are all pretty straight up deals, we can get wilder or more creative, depending on many factors of the multi you find.

Many factors led to our founding father’s push for independence stemming from a growing friction between a young fledgling country and King George’s growing abuse through heavy levies and taxes.Historically, a government will take from the people as much as the people will allow, whether through ignorance or by force.

Ideally, I would like to more closely "follow" my local colleagues in the Bay Area.