If you don't have enough for a 25% down payment, chances are you don't have enough to ride turbulent times.

I've already signed the contract (lmk if you think this was hasty on my part -- would love to know why) and paid some earnest money (I'm long-term bullish on ATX) so I'm basically in for the ride, but given the market has been pretty crazy, was wondering what other people think about this.

@Hailé Betemariam work backwards.

But if you keep your property as a rental and let the appreciation ride you will make a way better return. 

My parents saved a college fund for me but I got a full ride so I put that in a mutual fund as well.

I am thinking get ride of direct tv and give them Netflix.

When I lived at home my mom did not own a working car and was riding her bike to work that is how low her income was.As indicated there are a lot of paths to RE and a lot of paths outside RE to significant wealth for smart investors.  

Also who pays for hail damage? 

And free monster truck rides for the kids!

My plan was to ride it out through the upcoming peak season here in AZ and then make a decision early next year to decide if I wanted to switch strategies or even sell a few of the properties.