The agent is probably thinking about an SFR that you you could barely afford without rent from roommates.

I can afford the monthly payments just fine with no real strain put onto my life or ability to support my needs.

Better than legal fees and better than having a property you can't afford. 

plus can you tell me an affordable city in the U.S to invest in? 

While we understand the concern and want to be accommodating we can't afford to lose out on an entire months rent either. 

Life happens and tenants lose their jobs, they break up, get divorced, have kids and need bigger places, can't afford the current place, or whatever....and then they just move.

I would suggest building up your reserves as much as possible in the meantime to help afford more of a down payment and researching how you can find great deals in the area.

Keep those as your fallback.When 3) affords for you to become financially independent, then you have the OPTION (note, it's an OPTION) to leave 1) and 2) behind and work solely on scaling 3).Dave Ramsey aside, this is the way I did it.

The people with souped up unemployment can afford it.

You do not allow leases to begin or end outside the season because it is too risky and you cannot afford the risk.