So far companies like Wanda and other big players seem to be unwinding carefully.  

@jameswise has some great info on his website as to a High level View of A.B,C,D and F Zip Codes, but as others have pointed out...there's "D" areas in B Zip Codes AND VICE VERSA. 

C D class is in every city... everyone  !! 

Initially our tenant will be living above us, so this won't necessarily be an issue at first, but we'd like to setup a system now that scales as we purchase future properties.After doing some research on where to keep funds, it looks like the common response is to either keep them in either an interest-bearing savings account, checking account, CD, etc. and largely to keep the funds liquid, so you can access them on demand. 

I am more comfortable with a much smaller number of doors and a very different tenant base.Personally I would rather have lower IRR, fewer doors, A-B class properties and an A-B class tenant base (instead of higher IRR, more doors, and a C-D tenant base, and D-class properties). 

Yes, we run our rentals as a business, but even businesses make charitable donations.We will never be big players like many here on BP, nor do we want to be.

It is incredibly motivating and comforting to be able to interact with players on your level and learn from people like you that have really done it!

But HML has a place in your arsenal - if you need to close fast and/or you can't otherwise get the loan you need.What I always say is - if all the players on your team can't make money on a deal, it's not a deal.

The stupidity is not limited to smaller players either.

Invest in stocks, index, bonds, CD, Mutual Funds?