I tend to try and avoid putting earnest money down because it decreases your leverage.

This presumably decreases their risk in deals, but I think this is bank-think in many scenarios.

This reduces their vacancy expense to $0, decreases maintenance costs (most arbitragers agree to fix any damage done by guests), increases rent (most pay a premium), and reduced the number of hours managing the property (aka it's more passive). 

Decrease your expenses, get a better paying job, get a second job, you need a side hustle or two. 

And, it seems reasonably likely that there will be even more hikes after that (if inflation doesn't get stamped out).Based on that, it sure seems like prices will continue to cool (or even decrease) in the short term, and the next several months could be an excellent time to be a cash buyer!

I purposefully designed my fees to decrease (much faster than most other planners) as you have more assets.

Theoretically, could I decrease the replacement value of $630k if I ripped out all the plaster and replaced it with drywall before getting the insurance. 

You need much lower prices to decrease the inventory and return to a balanced market.

This will lead to buying at a discount.This down turn that is turning away homeowners in droves and forcing prospective buyers to wait it only increases the need for rentals.The only problem is if this turns into an all out depression to rents decrease?

I want to decrease leverage as I age and increase passive income.Regarding point 3...it really depends.