To be statistically 'safe' from a vacancy, natural disaster or other risk profiles, you need a whole lot more in differing geographical locations.Most people don't really need that safety because they don't often face the risks they fear and if you self-mange you can control your risks in better ways.Is 20 properties the right number for you?

Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.

Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.

Since i'm just getting started and trying to test out what works and what doesn't I'd rather do more of the stuff myself so I can control how many cards go out, the day they go out and what areas go out.

I recently enrolled into classes myself in order to take more control over my real estate investments.

So in that structure you can have control in tandem with the lender on the capital.  

Remember you don't have to own a property to control it.

The more people there are the more traffic through the apartment the more damage to walls floor etc....I love leasing to people who have small familes i.e. mom dad one kid elderly couples etc....just some food for thought.

We are getting ready to purchase our first investment property, a single family house to rent, using a self-directed Solo 401 K.At first I was leaning toward having checkbook control, but the cost for a custodian-managed account is reasonable, and I am thinking it might be good to have a custodian take some responsibility for paperwork and banking.What are the disadvantages of using a custodian, other than the slightly higher annual cost?

you can drive slow but dont cause the traffic the car behind you lol.