The good news is that this lower amount is still enough (barely) to help me cover the cost of the closing, but I have a lot of equity still in the original duplex I would like to have access to invest in more real estate.

Labor participation rate at or above national average 5.

The competition is fierce and the high bids make most properties barely worth the trouble and potentially money losers.

Im finding out that its barely past the point of 80% LTV. 

Once they came out with premium, they diluted pro where it barely makes sense at the $150 a year I spend. 

With about $350k in liquid, I am presuming my mother would be an excellent candidate for a mortgage (or HELOC at bare minimum) due to her having zero debts, owning her home outright, and having a well paying W2 job.So an equity partnership - based on initial investment/down payment would mean ownership would look like:57% My mother ($200k)28.5% Myself ($100k)14.5% My boyfriend ($50k)Again, I'm trying to mix two objectives; First is monthly cash-flow for my mom.

However, as I think of other benefits, I see a couple that I wanted to run by those with experience in this realm.1) Am I right or delusional in thinking that the properties that have not participated in rocket-like appreciation will not suffer to the same degree if there is another downturn if the cash-creating spigot ever turns off?    

Its vital for me to stay with super hosts who know what they’re doing but I stay away from hosts who have 50+ listings as they likely have a “bare bones system” that won’t deliver the level of quality and customer service I’m looking for.

Labor participation rate at or above national average 5.

The "per transaction" costs barely scale up, that needle barely moves.Ponder economy of scale for just a moment.On the loan origination side of things, my flat per loan overhead cost (compliance with gov't rules/regulations is a big part of it) is ballpark the same if it's a $100k loan or a $500k loan.