Some of my properties, I end up spending at least a month's rent on turnover plus lose a month's worth of rent while it's being vacant.

However the monthly payments are still considerably lower than what I can afford, and I am also largely financially independent at this point in life.I scrimped and saved til about age 37....now I spend pretty freely as even doing so I have much more coming in than going out.

Spend lots of time here.

If you don't have time or don't want to spend energy driving for dollars, it's better to work with wholesalers.

Spend the next 5-7 years doing this till you have four multi families, then re-finance all 4 multi families into one LLC and one loan.

You definitely should be spending much energy on finding the correct tenants.

I have not encountered any language stating “inland marine property”.I would rather spend the 600$ and be safe than risk it just to save a few dollars. 

This is why I have chosen to be an REI, to become financially free, so I can make better use of the time I have to spend with family and friends, a better future for my children, and a better environment for people who do don't have.  

You can pay a contractor-friend (attend one of your local meetup and make contractor friends, if you don't have any) a flat fee and have him/her spend an hour or two doing some estimates with you.

Possibility to start with zero budget - if not having any money to invest.