As prices drop, we'll see fewer people cashing out equity on their primary homes and jumping into investments.

Information is dangerous because it may look complete, but it usually isn't. 

You can only have one FHA mortgage at a time, but you're not in danger of violating that.

I consider myself an expert in the former and a dangerously ignorant person in the latter.

Property Management will have fewer challenges this year, so might be a better option - especially if you want hourly/salary income verus commission.

Ah, well if, like me, you have built houses and know how to inspect them, then you can be downright dangerous.... :-)

House values going down is part of a bigger picture.Job losses, longer unemployment, lower cost rentals coming on the market with lower rents competing for fewer renters, due to many double or tripling up in SFH's and apartments.Owners financially unprepared for large expenses (roof, HVAC, major plumbing issues, and can't HELOC or increase credit cards and renters move out of un-inhabitable unit, payments get behind lender seizes the asset.Divorces force sales at fire sale prices....Less renters looking to rent, looking at lower priced competitors that would make some upside down if they charged that little.Owner loses job, or business income falls off greatly, and needs the payment on the rental to survive (replace dead car, etc..) so keeps pocketing the rental income but not making payments on the asset--bank forecloses and asset is seized.and probably a million other hard luck stories...2007/8 was nothing compared to the early 90's meltdown.

It's dangerous bringing family in.

It’s only dangerous when disturbed, so making it nearly impossible to disturb is your fix.

Portsmouth and Norfolk have some areas that can cashflow and aren't dangerous but you have to hunt for them.